Sameer Wankhede

Sameer Wankhede
Wankhede in Mumbai, 2015
Born
Sameer Wankhede

(1979-12-14) 14 December 1979 (age 45)[1]
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India[2]
NationalityIndian
Alma materUniversity of Mumbai
OccupationGovernment Officer (2008 batch)
Employer(s)Indian Revenue Service
Narcotics Control Bureau
Spouses
  • Shabana Qureshi
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2006; div. 2016)​
    [3]
  • ​
    (m. 2017)​
    [4]
Children3

Sameer Wankhede (born 14 December 1979) is an officer of the Indian Revenue Service from the 2008 batch.[5] Until 2021, he worked as Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).[6] Prior to joining NCB, Wankhede worked with the National Investigation Agency and the Air Intelligence Unit.[6]

Early life and education

Wankhede is a civil servant who works as an officer in the Indian Revenue Service (Custom & Indirect Taxes). He was born on 14 December 1979, in a middle-class family in Maharashtra, India. He completed his BA in 2001 from Ramnarain Ruia College.[7][8] During his formative years, Wankhede developed a keen interest in social issues and governance. After completing his primary and secondary education in Maharashtra, he enrolled in a reputed university to further his academic journey. He also graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Laws from the Mumbai University reflecting his interest in legal matters and the judiciary system.[9] Sameer Wankhede belongs to Mahar (Dalit) community.[10]

Career

Throughout his career, Wankhede has held various positions in law enforcement agencies involved in drug enforcement. He has been actively involved in conducting raids, intelligence operations, and undercover investigations targeting drug traffickers and their networks.[11][12][13][14] During his 15-year career he has been credited with seizure of 17,000 kg narcotics and 165 kg gold.[15][dubious – discuss]

Zakir Naik case

Wankhede played a crucial role in booking Islamic preacher Zakir Naik for alleged money laundering and incitement of religious hatred.[16][17]

Dawood Ibrahim's aide Chinku Pathan case

Chinku Pathan, known for his association with the infamous underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was a notorious figure in the world of crime. He was allegedly involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and violence. The operation was led by Wankhede and the arrest took place as part of an operation conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).[18]

Mika Singh Airport case

In February 2013, singer Mika Singh was detained when he tried to move out of Mumbai international airport without declaring over Rs 9 lakh after he arrived from Bangkok.[19] Singh was detained by the customs' Air Intelligence Unit headed by Wankhede. Two liquor bottles, sunglasses and perfumes were found in Mika's bag.[20]

Aryan Khan case and corruption allegations

Wankhede led the Cordelia case[21] where a cruise ship was raided and Aryan Khan, the son of actor Shah Rukh Khan was arrested on charges of drug use and possession. Aryan Khan spent 26 days in jail before being given bail. In May 2022 all charges against Khan were dropped, with Wankhede removed from the case after being accused of blackmail.[22] He was transferred to Chennai.[23]

On 8 September, Wankhede was cleared of bribery charges related to Aryan Khan.[24] In May 2023, he was charged with corruption for allegedly demanding a 250 million rupee bribe from Khan. Wankhede denies the claims.[25]

A probe by India's Narcotics Control Bureau claimed that Wankhede had confiscated valuables from suspects without recording them, had manipulated CCTV footage and had lived a lifestyle of foreign holidays far beyond his means, including trips to luxury resorts in the Maldives.[26]

South Mumbai drug laboratory case

Wankhede's investigation led the authorities to the clandestine drug laboratory operating in South Mumbai.[27] This laboratory was not only involved in manufacturing illegal narcotics but also acted as a central hub for the distribution of drugs to various parts of the city and beyond. The drug cartel was found to be involved in producing and trafficking various types of narcotics, including synthetic drugs, cocaine, and MDMA (Ecstasy). The scale of the operation and the volume of drugs being circulated raised serious concerns among law enforcement agencies and policymakers. The agency had seized 12 kilograms of mephedrone, a pistol and cash ₹2.18 crore.[28]

Bipasha Basu Airport case

Actress Bipasha Basu was stopped at Mumbai International Airport after arriving from London in 2011 by Sameer Wankhede's team and fined Rs 12,000 for not declaring imported valuables worth Rs 6 million. She had allegedly not declared footwear, designer sunglasses and handbags.[29]

Personal life

He is married to Marathi actress Kranti Redkar.[4][30] From his first marriage with Dr. Shabana Qureshi, he has a son, and from his second marriage, two daughters.[3][31]

References

  1. ^ "In allegations against Sameer Wankhede, questions of religion, conversion, in eligibility for SC quota". The Indian Express. 28 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Sameer Wankhede—Mumbai's Singham". India Today. 24 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b "'My father is Hindu and my mother was Muslim': Sameer Wankhede after 'slanderous attacks' by Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik". Free Press Journal. 25 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b "NCB officer Sameer Wankedhe's wife Kranti Redkar Wankhede was Ajay Devgn's 'Gangajal' co-star, know all about her". DNA India. 7 October 2021.
  5. ^ Vaktania, Saurabh (24 October 2021). "IRS officer behind drug-busts: All you need to know about NCB's Sameer Wankhede and his family". India Today. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Behind the scenes: Who is Sameer Wankhede, the man investigating Aryan Khan? And why is actress Kranti Redkar proud of him?". The Economic Times.
  7. ^ "मुंबई:नवाब मलिक की बढ़ सकती हैं मुश्किलें समीर वानखेड़े के पिता". Amarujala. 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  8. ^ "Sameer Wankhede — Sameer Wankhede Biography: Everything about Zonal Director NCB". Jagran Tv. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  9. ^ "UPSC की परीक्षा पास कर बने IRS, लगा 25 करोड़ की रिश्वत मांगने का आरोप, शाहरूख के बेटे से है कनेक्‍शन". News18 हिंदी. 18 May 2023.
  10. ^ ""Wankhede Belongs To The SC Community, Hails From Mahar Caste, Rose To Such A Position Despite Belonging To A Poor Family": NCSC Vice Chairman". lawbeat.in. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Sameer Wankhede to appear in Khupte Tithe Gupte, says, "Threats from the underworld don't scare me", watch promo". Times Of India. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  12. ^ "जानिए कौन है वो अफसर, जिसके नाम से बॉलीवुड में मची है खलबली". Aaj Tak. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Top customs official refuses security cover despite death threats". 13 February 2013.
  14. ^ Bhardwaj, Ananya (3 January 2022). "Sameer Wankhede 'detached' from NCB, will report back to revenue intelligence as 'loan' ends". ThePrint.
  15. ^ "'Nothing personal against anyone': Sameer Wankhede on Nawab Malik's accusations in Aryan Khan drugs case". Free Press Journal.
  16. ^ "ED registers criminal case against Zakir Naik, IRF". www.daijiworld.com.
  17. ^ "DRI joint director loaned to NCB". Mumbai Mirror.
  18. ^ "NCB arrests drug peddler associated with Dawood Ibrahim's aide Chinku Pathan". India Today. 10 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Singer Mika detained by customs for violation of FEMA rules". DNA. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  20. ^ "Customs, tax, drugs: Sameer Wankhede and his 13 'Bollywood hits'". India Today. 26 October 2021.
  21. ^ "Aryan Khan Case Officer Alleges Targeted Over "Dead Mother, Her Religion"". NDTV.com. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Aryan Khan: Drug charges dropped against Shah Rukh Khan's son". BBC News. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  23. ^ "NCB's ex-zonal chief Sameer Wankhede transferred to Chennai". Hindustan Times. 31 May 2022.
  24. ^ "As 'Jawan' Releases, Sameer Wankhede Wins 25 Crore Bribery Case Involving Shah Rukh Khan's Son Aryan Khan". Outlook India. 7 September 2023.
  25. ^ Sebastian, Meryl (17 May 2023). "Aryan Khan case: Sameer Wankhede accused of asking for bribe from Shah Rukh Khan". BBC News. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  26. ^ Joshi, Sahil (19 May 2023). "Corruption, misconduct: Anti-drug agency's report on Aryan Khan case officer Sameer Wankhede". India Today. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Mumbai drug racket: NCB raids 4 places in Dongri, nabs 1". Deccan Herald.
  28. ^ "Fourth member of south Mumbai drug cartel held". Hindustan Times. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Customs detains Bipasha, let off after paying duty". Times of India. 27 May 2011.
  30. ^ Ojha, Arvind (11 October 2021). "Leading probe into cruise drugs case, NCB zonal head Sameer Wankhede gets six-month extension". India Today.
  31. ^ "Ending drug menace not possible with NCB alone, citizens have to report it, says Kranti Redkar Wankhede". Deccan Herald. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.