In a recent development, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has taken action against Superintendent Vishwa Vijay Singh, a member of the team that apprehended actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, during a raid on the Cordelia cruise in 2021. An official statement confirmed that Singh has been dismissed from his position due to his involvement in misconduct in a separate case for which he had previously been suspended.
The order to terminate Singh’s services was issued last month, following an inquiry into his conduct. It was discovered during the investigation that Singh had engaged in misconduct, leading to the decision to dismiss him from the NCB. While Singh was part of the team that apprehended Aryan Khan and others in the high-profile ‘drugs-on-cruise’ case in October 2021, his dismissal is unrelated to the Aryan Khan case itself.
The raid on the Cordelia cruise, led by Sameer Wankhede, the then-Mumbai zonal director of NCB, resulted in the arrest of Aryan Khan and several others. Initially, drug possession, use, and trafficking charges were brought against the defendant. However, Aryan Khan was eventually given a clean chit by the NCB in May 2022 due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
Following the high-profile case, allegations of high-handedness were made against the NCB team and Wankhede, prompting a separate vigilance inquiry. As a result, departmental action was taken against seven officers involved in the alleged ‘drugs-on-cruise’ case. Wankhede, an IRS officer, was subsequently transferred to the DG Taxpayer Service Directorate in Chennai.
It is important to note that the dismissal of Superintendent Vishwa Vijay Singh is unrelated to the outcome of Aryan Khan’s case. While Aryan Khan was cleared of charges due to a lack of evidence, the NCB’s decision to dismiss Singh stems from an investigation into his conduct in an entirely separate matter.
The NCB, as an agency responsible for combating drug trafficking and abuse, upholds strict standards of professionalism and integrity. Instances of misconduct within its ranks are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated to maintain the agency’s credibility and commitment to justice.
The dismissal of Superintendent Vishwa Vijay Singh serves as a reminder that no individual is above the law and that those entrusted with enforcing it must adhere to the highest standards of conduct. The NCB’s actions highlight its dedication to maintaining the integrity of its operations and ensuring that justice is served.
As the Aryan Khan case generated significant media attention and public interest, it is crucial to separate the dismissal of Singh from the case’s outcome. The NCB’s decision to dismiss Singh is an internal matter related to his individual conduct and has no bearing on the innocence or guilt of Aryan Khan or the other individuals involved in the ‘drugs-on-cruise’ case.
The NCB will continue its efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse, adhering to its mandate of upholding the law and ensuring a safer society for all.