Sameer Wankhede, an Indian Revenue Service officer entangled in controversies surrounding his exchanges with actor Shah Rukh Khan, has recently addressed the public. Wankhede, who spearheaded the team responsible for apprehending Shah Rukh’s son, Aryan Khan, on drug-related charges in 2021, discussed the accusations of financial and procedural improprieties leveled against him.
During an interview with The Lallantop, Sameer Wankhede played down the significance of the Aryan Khan case, labeling it as ‘the smallest case of (his) life’.
He professed unfamiliarity with Shah Rukh’s celebrity status and asserted he holds ‘no regrets’ regarding his actions. Despite facing legal proceedings for alleged extortion and money laundering involving Shah Rukh Khan, Wankhede maintained his willingness to repeat his actions if given the opportunity to resume his duties.
In response to queries about whether his statements serve as a caution to Shah Rukh Khan, Wankhede modestly stated that he considers himself a ‘minor figure’ and refrained from delivering admonitions.
Sameer Wankhede files a petition in Bombay High Court, attaches his chats with actor Shah Rukh Khan in the petition….
Here are Chats Shahrukh & Sameer pic.twitter.com/2oVsUW5GXF
— Abhishek Dwivedi /अभिषेक द्विवेदी 🇮🇳 (@Dubeyjilive) May 19, 2023
He redirected attention to ‘true heroes’ such as Prime Minister Modi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Was invited to TEDx as a guest speaker and spoke about detrimental effects of drugs & how important it is for us as a nation to become DRUGFREE ! NASHA MUKT BHARAT is a dream of every individual and I will do everything in my capacity to realise this dream.
The most glaring… pic.twitter.com/UidXXQV3Bx— Sameer Wankhede (@swankhede_IRS) February 4, 2024
When pressed about purported conversations between himself and Shah Rukh Khan, where the actor pleaded for leniency for his son, Wankhede expressed compassion but stressed the necessity of taking action, particularly in cases involving drug consumption.
Discussing the exchanges, Sameer remarked,
“I don’t want to talk about this man, but whenever you take action (in cases like this), and parents reach out to you, you feel bad about it. Especially when the person is a consumer, or if they have a drug habit. First and foremost, you feel bad, and you want them to go to rehab. Unless, of course, we’re talking about hardened gangsters.” Wankhede continued, “I don’t have any regrets in life, firstly, and if given the chance, I’d do it all again.”
