Aryan Khan case: Court says can’t pass ‘blanket orders’; declines relief to NCB, Sameer Wankhede

A Mumbai court on Monday rejected the application filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seeking directions from the Court against the ‘hurdles’ being created in the ongoing investigation into the Aryan Khan drug case.

The NCB, through an application filed by its officer VV Singh had prayed that cognizance should not be taken of the affidavit by Prabhakar Sail, witness and bodyguard of another witness KP Gosavi, in the case.

It was also prayed that no action should be taken pursuant to such affidavit without the leave of the Court.

The application further sought directions to ensure that the ongoing probe in the Aryan Khan drug case is not interfered with.

Special Judge of Sessions VV Patil, however, said that he cannot pass such blanket directions.

"No such blanket orders can be passed. It is for the concerned court or authority to pass appropriate order at the relevant stage," the Court said, as per a Bar and Bench report.

"Moreover, the matter is sub-judice before the Bombay High Court in bail applications. Therefore no such orders can be passed by this Court," the judge added.

NCB and its Mumbai zonal chief Sameer Wankhede had moved the Sessions Court after it was widely reported in media yesterday that the Sail had stated on affidavit that the NCB made him sign a blank panchnama in the cruise ship drugs case, in which Aryan Khan has been implicated.

Sail alleged in his affidavit that he was made to sign blank sheets of paper by the NCB during its investigation in the case. He also expressed a threat to his life, even as his employer Gosavi has gone missing.

The affidavit named Wankhede as the officer who instructed the signing of the blank papers.

The affidavit also spoke about overhearing a telephonic conversation as per which Rs 25 crores was demanded to ‘settle’ the Aryan Khan drug case.

In his plea before the Sessions Court, Wankhede undertook to place on record material to show that he was "threatened to be arrested and dispelled from his service, and that there is a slew of attacks against him and his family".

"I am under a lurking threat of arrest as it does not suit some vested interest just for conducting an honest and impartial investigation," Wankhede submitted.

He also assured the Court that he was ready to face any legal proceedings to establish his innocence.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Advait Sethna told the Court today that releasing such documents (affidavit of Sail) will hamper the accused case including the bail hearing of Aryan Khan which is listed tomorrow for hearing in Bombay High Court.

After hearing the submissions of SPP, Special Judge VV Patil reserved the application for orders.