The Bombay High Court has been notified by the Enforcement Directorate that there are no plans to arrest Sameer Wankhede, former NCB Zonal Director and Revenue Officer, in connection with the money laundering case filed against him.

Before the division bench of the High Court, consisting of Justice PD Naik and Justice NR Borkar, Sameer Wankhede, former NCB Zonal Director and Revenue Officer, presented a petition challenging the money laundering case filed against him, during which the Enforcement Directorate affirmed that they do not intend to arrest him in connection with the case.

The Enforcement Directorate has leveled accusations against Sameer Wankhede, alleging that he demanded a bribe of Rs. 25 crores from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. This purported demand was made in exchange for not implicating Khan's son in the Cordelia Drugs Cruise Ship Case.

The division bench informed Advocate Sandish Patil, representing the ED,  that it could not address the petition the following day due to time constraints. Furthermore, the bench stated that it would not be possible to hear the petition on Monday because of a court holiday.

Upon inquiry from the bench regarding the Enforcement Directorate's intentions regarding Wankhede's arrest, Advocate Sandish Patil sought instructions and subsequently informed the High Court that the ED had no plans to arrest Wankhede until February 20th.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) disclosed to the Bombay High Court on February 13th that the money laundering case concerning Sameer Wankhede had been transferred to Delhi. This case stems from an investigation initiated by the NCB Unit of Mumbai, which involved a drug seizure from a cruise departing from Mumbai to Goa. Subsequently, the NCB apprehended 20 individuals, including Aryan Khan, the son of Shah Rukh Khan.

The FIR filed by CBI alleged offences under sections 7 (bribery), 7A (undue advantage to influence a public servant by illegal means), and 12 (abetment) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 388 (extortion) of the Indian Penal Code

Wankhede has been granted interim protection from arrest by the high court in the CBI case until his petition is heard.

Case title: Sameer Wankhede vs UOI