Aryan Khan Case Officer Has "Impeccable Record": Agency In Payoffs Row

Mr Wankhede Monday morning filed an affidavit (in his personal capacity) with the special court hearing the drugs-on-cruise case. The affidavit (another was filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau over extortion allegations) was in response to Mr Malik tweeting a document related to the NCB officer's birth and writing: "Forgery began here."

"The publishing of my personal documents is defamatory in nature and an unnecessary invasion of my family privacy. It is intended to malign me, my family, my father, and my late mother," Mr Wankhede said, adding that the minister's actions had put his family under "tremendous mental and emotional pressure" and that he himself had been left "pained by the slanderous attacks".

In his affidavit, Mr Wankhede wrote: "... I have been personally targeted, especially by a known political figure, (since) one Sameer Khan, a relative of this honcho, was arrested in a drug case... from that time there is a personal vendetta targeted at me and my family members... was threatened to be arrested and dispelled from my job/service."

Mr Wankhede has also written to the Mumbai Police, seeking protection from legal action over fears that he would be "framed with ulterior motives". That letter was seen as a counter to Mr Malik's earlier comment - that he would lose his job within a year.

The second affidavit - filed by the NCB - was in response to claims about a Rs 8 crore payoff to Mr Wankhede. In that affidavit the anti-drugs has backed him, citing an "impeccable service record" and is "replete with honesty and integrity". Regarding the payoff claim - by Prabhakar Sail, a witness in the case - the NCB said Mr Sail had turned 'hostile'.

Mr Sail had claimed he overheard a meeting between his employer KP Gosavi (another agency witness, who was photographed in the viral selfie with Aryan Khan after his arrest), Shah Rukh Khan's manager Pooja Dadlani, and a Sam D'Souza this month. Mr Sail said they spoke of a Rs 18 crore deal.

Mr Sail's lawyer, Tushar Khandare, has said his client had asked for and been given police protection, and added: "Got our statement recorded in Sahar Police Station... have given a copy of affidavit and all evidence. Police has assured action will be taken."

NCB sources have said Mr Sail's allegations were made "to malign the (agency's) image". Nevertheless, it will investigate; Deputy Director-General Gyaneshwar Singh will lead that probe. Sources have said Mr Singh and Mr Wankhede will speak tomorrow.

Mr Singh told NDTV he would not, at this stage, be drawn on commenting on the removal of Mr Wankhede. "I cannot comment. We have started our investigation... will talk to witnesses," he said, adding that he would also not comment on Mr Malik's tweet.

Aryan has been in jail since October 8. Twice denied bail by lower courts, his third appeal will be heard by the Bombay High Court tomorrow. His lawyers have argued no drugs were found on him, and that the NCB's case is based on WhatsApp chats.