Sameer Wankhede says Aryan Khan wasn’t a ‘Bali Ka Bakra’ in drug case, denies leaking Shah Rukh Khan’s chats

Sameer Wakhende on Aryan Khan in Drug case

Former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede, who led the 2021 drugs-on-cruise investigation that saw Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan arrested, has once again spoken out — this time rejecting claims that the young star was made a “bali ka bakra” (scapegoat).

In a conversation on the Mama’s Couch YouTube channel, Sameer reflected on the case that made national headlines and triggered massive public debate. He explained that he had already submitted an affidavit to the Bombay High Court, agreeing not to speak publicly about Aryan’s case, but decided to clarify a few misconceptions.

Sameer emphasised that the investigation was conducted entirely within the boundaries of the law. He said, “People have this misconception that if no drugs were found on you, there won’t be any action. If someone has been caught with drugs, then someone must have manufactured it, someone must have supplied it, and there must be someone who is intending to buy it. Do you think that we should not arrest those who manufacture them, or those who are intending to buy them because both of them will not be in possession of drugs? The law entails that the entire chain should be arrested. No matter who is the one who has the possession.”

When asked directly if Aryan Khan was unfairly targeted, he replied firmly, “Isme bali ka bakra koi banta nahi hai (There is no scapegoat in this). After a lot of thought, there is a conscious possession, there is some electronic evidence, there is some statement, so on the basis of that, the investigation is done… It’s not just Wankhede who is doing it all, there are a lot of procedures.”

Sameer also dismissed allegations that he had leaked private messages exchanged with Shah Rukh Khan during the investigation. “Leaking would be the wrong word here. It’s neither my habit, nor am I so weak to do such things. I don’t need to do such things,” he said.

The case, which began with a raid on the Cordelia Empress cruise ship off the Mumbai coast in October 2021, saw Aryan and several others detained amid allegations of drug use and trafficking.

Though Aryan was later cleared of all charges, the controversy continued to follow both him and Sameer Wankhede.

Also Read: Explained - Sameer Wankhede vs Aryan Khan: From cruise drug case to The Bads of Bollywood defamation row

Recently, the former NCB officer once again entered the headlines by filing a Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Shah Rukh Khan, Aryan Khan, and the makers of the Netflix series ‘The Bads of Bollywood’, which he claims depicted him unfairly.

The Delhi High Court, however, dismissed the case as not maintainable.

Even years later, the case remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about controversies — and for Sameer Wankhede, a chapter he continues to defend as a matter of principle, not personal fame.