The Cordelia Drugs Case Still Making Headlines But Why ?

By Tanveer Zaidi (Actor–Author–Educationist)

In a high-profile case that once captured national headlines, the controversy involving #AryanKhan, son of Bollywood icon #ShahRukhKhan, continues to unravel new developments.

The Cordelia cruise drugs case, which began in October 2021, led to the dramatic arrest of Aryan Khan by then #NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, sparking debates across legal, media, and political circles. It later came to light that Aryan was falsely implicated, and he was eventually granted bail after spending over three weeks in jail.

False Accusations and Bribery Allegations

In the aftermath, investigations revealed that Aryan Khan had been wrongfully accused and used as a tool in an alleged extortion racket to blackmail Shah Rukh Khan for money.

The spotlight soon turned on Sameer Wankhede, a senior officer from the #IndianRevenueService, who was on deputation with the #NarcoticsControlBureau (NCB) at the time. Reports, including those from the media, suggested Wankhede and his associates had allegedly demanded a ₹25 crore bribe from Shah Rukh Khan in exchange for not implicating Aryan Khan.

The charges resulted in Wankhede being transferred to Chennai, and a case was filed against him by the #EnforcementDirectorate (ED) on allegations of #MoneyLaundering.

Aryan Khan’s name was later omitted from the NCB chargesheet, as the agency’s special investigation team (SIT) found no substantial evidence of drug possession or consumption, ultimately clearing his name.

CBI Assures Court of Timely Probe Completion

The focus has now shifted to the #CentralBureauOfInvestigation (CBI), which is leading the ongoing inquiry into the corruption allegations against Wankhede and four others. On Tuesday, during a hearing at the Bombay High Court, the CBI submitted that it would complete the investigation within three months.

This assurance was provided by advocate Kuldeep Patil before a division bench of Justices A.S. Gadkari and Rajesh S. Patil.

The court, clearly dissatisfied with the extended delay in the probe, posed a stern question to the CBI:

“Within how many years will you complete the investigation — 10 years, 20 years?”

This came after Wankhede’s counsel, senior advocate Aabad Ponda, argued that the delays caused by the CBI’s adjournments — often attributed to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s unavailability — were adversely impacting his client’s career and public image.

Legal Proceedings and Interim Protection

Sameer Wankhede had earlier approached the Bombay High Court in 2023 seeking the quashing of the FIR registered against him. He also sought interim protection from arrest, which was granted by the court while the investigation was still ongoing.

The CBI’s case hinges on claims that Wankhede and his team tried to extort money by threatening to implicate Aryan Khan following an alleged seizure of drugs aboard the Cordelia cruise ship. This incident had become a flashpoint in the debate over the misuse of power by investigative agencies.

Aryan Khan: Cleared of All Charges

Aryan Khan’s arrest — alongside several others — in 2021 had sent shockwaves across the country, especially given the prominence of his family. However, the case took a significant turn when the #BombayHighCourt granted him bail, citing a lack of concrete evidence.

The NCB’s subsequent chargesheet notably excluded Aryan’s name altogether, confirming that no drugs were found on his person, nor was there any proof of consumption or intent to traffic.

The unfolding case against Sameer Wankhede reflects the complex interplay of law enforcement, celebrity status, and alleged corruption in India’s legal system.

With the CBI now under strict court scrutiny to complete its probe in the next three months, the focus remains firmly on ensuring justice, not just for Aryan Khan, but for the integrity of India’s investigative institutions.

This episode remains a cautionary tale about how #power, #media, and #politics can collide in ways that alter lives, reputations, and careers. All eyes are now on the Bombay High Court and the CBI as they steer the final chapters of a case that once held the nation’s attention.