As Sameer
Wankhede
, the Zonal Director of the
Narcotics Control Bureau
records his statement with the special five-member vigilance team, his family held a press conference to vouch for his innocence.
'Sameer is being targeted because he is a Dalit,' his family members were quoted saying today while presenting documents to prove the allegations about his cast and religion were 'false'. Following multiple personal jibes by NCB leader
Nawab Malik
, Wankhede's wife and his father threatened legal action and said he will file a defamation case against him.
Wankhede's father also alleged a vendetta at play because his son arrested Malik's son-in-law in an alleged drug case early this year.
Watch his fiery statement in the video below:
Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to grant an urgent hearing to a PIL that sought directions to stop Nawab Malik from making any comments against the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
The PIL was filed on Tuesday by city resident Kausar Ali, who claims to be a priest and a person working for the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Ali urged the HC to direct Malik not to make any comments against the NCB or any other investigating agency associated with the
Aryan Khan case and officers of such agencies, saying it will demoralise the probe agencies and encourage drug abuse among citizens.
The NCB's vigilance team, on the other hand, has launched independent probes into the allegations of 'extortion' and other issues against the
NCB Zonal Director
. The team arrived in Mumbai this afternoon and is understood to have recorded Wankhede's statement besides summoning a 'Panch-Witness' Prabhakar Sail for the probe.
At least four complaints lodged against Wankhede in different police stations in Mumbai will now be handled by the ACP who will investigate and prepare his report in the matter.
"We have started the probe. This is a very sensitive investigation, too early to share anything. We shall inquire all aspects and later inform the media of the developments," NCB vigilance team member Dnyaneshwar Singh told media persons briefly.