The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea by former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai Zonal director Sameer Wankhede seeking protection from search, seizure or arrest in a disproportionate assets case against him.

The case is stated to be have been initiated after Assistant Director General, NCB sent an intimation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In his plea, Wankhede had said that although he does not have the communication or the intimation but he has been informed orally that some proceedings have been initiated against him.

Single-judge Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani refused to entertain the plea noting that in absence of the communication, Wankhede's plea was bereft of the foundation on which it was sought to be premised.

The Court added in absence of such a communication, the very territorial jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court to entertain the petition was also in doubt.

The bench, therefore, allowed Wankhede's counsel to withdraw the plea and file a fresh petition with the copy of the communication sought to be challenged before the appropriate court.

"In view of the above, the petitioner prays to withdraw the plea. Liberty granted to adopt appropriate remedies before the competent court as may be available to them," the court ordered.

Sameer Wankhede came to limelight as the NCB Mumbai team arrested and questioned a number of Bollywood celebrities for allegedly using drugs.

He was involved in the investigation of the case related to the alleged seizure of drugs on a cruise ship where actor Shahrukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan, was also present.

As Khan was cleared of the case, Wankhede was transferred out of NCB. He is, at present, posted at the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services in Chennai.

References:

barandbench.com