Mumbai: Inquiry finds selective targeting of Aryan Khan, says NCB

The vigilance team of the NCB has found ldquoirregularitiesrdquo in the investigation into the drugsoncruise case involving Shah Rukh Khanrsquos son Aryan Khan who was given a clean chit later The inquiry has also found selective targeting of Aryan and recommended action against seven to eight officers who were involved in the case then officers said on TuesdayThe 3000page inquiry report was submitted to the Narcotics Control Bureau NCB chief in July It states that there were lapses on the part of seven to eight officers in not just the Aryan Khan case but two other cases as well all probed by Sameer Wankhede the then zonal director and his teamSameer Wankhede at an event in Bandra in August PicSatej ShindeA charge sheet has also been filed against the officers as per the departmental proceedings and under various Sections of the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules 1964 said sources Sources told midday that some of these officers are still associated with the NCB while a few have moved to other agencies However the NCB has revealed none of their namesAlso Read Mumbai NCB recovers drug worth Rs 120 croreRemoval recommendedThe vigilance report has recommended removal from the service for at least two officers who are not associated with the NCB anymore ldquoWe have submitted the vigilance report before the competent authorityrdquo said Gyaneshwar Singh NCB deputy director general who headed the vigilance inquiry teamAryan Khan and others were arrested in October 2021 after the alleged drug bust aboard a ship of the Cordelia Cruises off the Mumbai coast The special investigation team which took over the probe from Wankhede and his team gave a clean chit to AryanThe vigilance inquiry has flagged off irregularities during the raids on Cordelia ship and during the arrest of suspects including Aryan sources said The vigilance team also recorded the video statement of Shah Rukhrsquos manager Pooja Dadlani to ascertain extortion allegations against Wankhede and his team but found no evidence said sourcesThe team found serious irregularities in the investigations by Wankhede and his team then which led to changes and reforms within the NCB to avoid future lapses they said According to sources the vigilance team recorded the statement of at least 65 witnesses including NCB officers ldquoEveryone was given fair opportunity to present themselves and based on evidence we have found various irregularitiesrdquo said an officerExtortion allegationsAfter the Cordelia raids former minister and NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik made a series of allegations against Wankhede and his team alleging a bid to extort Shah Rukh Khan At a press conference Malik had produced evidence to support his claims The vigilance team was formed to investigate the extortion allegationldquoI have no knowledge of any such thing inquiry reportrdquo Wankhede told middayWith inputs from Diwakar Sharma65No of witnesses who gave statement to vigilance teamThe penalties as per the CCS RulesMinor Penalties Censure Withholding of promotion Recovery from his pay of the whole or part of any pecuniary loss caused by officer to the government by negligence or breach of orders Reduction to lower stage in the timescale of pay by one stage for a period not exceeding three years without cumulative effect and not adversely affecting his pension Withholding of increments of payMajor Penalties Reduction to a lower stage in the timescale of pay for a specified period Reduction to lower timescale of pay grade post or service for a period to be specified in the order of penalty Compulsory retirement Removal from service that shall not be a disqualification for future employment under the government Dismissal from service that shall ordinarily be a disqualification for future employment under the government