Showing posts with label Pooja Dadlani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pooja Dadlani. Show all posts
Shah Rukh Khan recovers after hospitalization for heat stroke
8:57 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 24, 2024)
The internet went into a tizzy ever since reports surfaced on Tuesday that Shah Rukh Khan had to undergo sudden hospitalisation in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In what has come as a major relief for his fans, the actor was discharged from the hospital in the early hours of Wednesday and is feeling better now.
Khan’s manager Pooja Dadlani posted on her Insta Stories on Thursday afternoon, “To all of Mr Khan’s fans and well wishers- he is doing well. Thank you for your love, prayers and concern (sic).”
On Tuesday, Khan was at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where he attended his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) playoff qualifier on May 21. The 58-year-old suffered a heat stroke during the game. On Monday, a red alert was issued for the ongoing heatwave in the state (with the mercury touching 46°C).
“God willing, he will soon be up, and in the stands on the weekend, cheering the team on, as we play the finals,” actor Juhi Chawla, who co-owns KKR, earlier told News18. Producer Gauri Khan, the actor’s wife, was spotted visiting him at the hospital on May 22.
Ex-NCB officer Sameer Wankhede booked for extorting Rs. 50 lakhs from Shah Rukh Khan
8:39 AM
Gang of 5 Sought Rs. 25 Crores To Get Son Aryan Cleared
Vijay V Singh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 13, 2023)
Mumbai: The CBI has registered a case of corruption against Indian Revenue Service officer Sameer Wankhede and four others for allegedly collecting Rs 50 lakh from actor Shah Rukh Khan in the October 2021 Cordelia drug case involving his son Aryan Khan.
Wankhede and the others are accused of demanding a total sum of Rs 25 crore from the actor to get his son cleared of charges of drug possession. The CBI has searched 29 locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow and Chennai, including Wankhede’s home in Goregaon west. Wankhede called it vindictive action as he had filed a complaint of harassment against a senior NCB officer.
He said, “I am a disciplined official of government of India. I will fight the legal battle and have complete faith in judiciary.”
Wankhede was western region head of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and headed the probe into the case against Aryan Khan. The other accused in the case include intelligence officer Ashish Ranjan, dismissed superintendent Vishwa Vijay Singh, and two individuals —Kiran Gosavi and Sanvile D’Souza also known as Sam D’Souza—who were being used as witnesses or informers. Singh and Ranjan were part of the probe team.
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Vijay V Singh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 13, 2023)
Mumbai: Former NCB western region chief Sameer Wankhede, intelligence officer Ashish Ranjan, dismissed superintendent Vishwa Vijay Singh, and two individuals, Kiran Gosavi and Sanvile D’Souza have been booked by CBI in an extortion case involving Shan Rukh Khan.
Singh was dismissed on Tuesday for misconduct in another case in which he was under suspension. Ranjan was also suspended for allegedly not presenting a strong case before a court hearing a bail plea of an accused in another drug case. Gosavi was a panch witness in the drug case. Gosavi, according to his bodyguard Prabhakar Sail, had discussed Rs 25 crores demand with Sam D’Souza over phone. This conversation also had a reference to a payment of Rs 8 crores to Wankhede, who had denied the allegations.
On October 2, 2021, the NCB conducted a raid on a cruise ship called Cordelia after receiving a tip-off that drugs were being consumed in a party on board. Several people, including Aryan Khan, were arrested in the case in subsequent days. However, allegations by NCP leader Nawab Malik that the NCB officers were using fake witnesses and flimsy evidence to carry out high profile arrests on charges of drug possession put the spotlight on some of the cases. A Special Investigation Team was set up to probe them. A selfie of the witness Gosavi with Aryan Khan in side the NCB office went viral raising questions about the credibility of the NCB action.
The NCB’s SIT in a subsequent probe had said that it appeared that the investigating officer was motivated to somehow implicate Aryan Khan in the drugs case. “It is strange to note that in spite of clear-cut denial by Arbaaz (Merchant), regarding involvement of Aryan in the procurement and possession of drugs from him, the investigating officer started looking at WhatsApp chats of Aryan without even formally seizing the mobile phone of Aryan,” the report said. NCB had claimed to have recovered six gm charas from Merchant, who was described by the agency as Aryan's friend.
CBI on Friday said Wankhede and the others “had entered into criminal conspiracy” and “allegedly obtained undue advantage in the form of bribes” from Aryan Khan and others...
“It has also been alleged that the said persons entered into conspiracy in order to extort an amount of Rs 25 crores (approx) from the family members of the alleged accused by threatening them” with charges of “possession of Narcotics Substances asper the alleged directions of then Zonal Director being the Supervisory Officer. A token amount of Rs 50 lakh as bribe was allegedly obtained in furtherance of this conspiracy by the said persons”.
Gosavi’s private bodyguard Prabhakar Sail (who died last April) in an affidavit filed in the court soon after the raid had levelled serious charges of a huge payoff to Gosavi, a mysterious meeting between Gosavi and Shah Rukh Khan’s manager Pooja Dadlani a few hours after the raid on Cruise and also alleged threat to his life.
Sail said he was instructed by Gosavi to come to the NCB office on October 2, (the raid happened late in the night). Sail’s affidavit mentions Gosavi meeting with NCB officials and seeing Khan in one of the cabins of the cruise liner. The city police had set up a SIT to probe a case of extortion but could not arrive at any conclusion as Dadlani failed to turn up despite being issued several summons.
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‘My father stands vindicated’, says daughter of Nawab Malik who had first alleged violations in Aryan Khan case
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; May 13, 2023)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede and many others on charges of corruption and extortion in connection with the Cordelia cruise drugs case that had to the arrest of Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan.
Wankhede was the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) zonal director, Mumbai, at the time and probed the case. Among others booked are the then superintendent Vishwa Vijay Singh, Ashish Ranjan (the then intelligence officer of Mumbai zonal unit, NCB), K P Gosavi (a private person whose selfie with Aryan following latter’s arrest went viral), Sanvile D’Souza (a private person).
The CBI alleged that the accused extorted an amount of about Rs 25 crores from the family members of the alleged accused by threatening them with the accusation of offenses of possession of narcotics substances as per the alleged directions of Wankhede.
“My father has been saying this since day one, and now the CBI has confirmed it after years of investigation. Those who denied the truth of my father’s allegations should be held accountable,” said Nilofer Malik, daughter of NCP leader Nawab Malik, after the CBI booked Wankhede.
Malik had alleged Wankhede extorted money in all his cases and highlighted the gross violation in the case of Aryan Khan. “Some people believe that truth can be obscured with a little cover-up and decoration. However, as time passes, the truth will eventually come to light, while falsehoods fade away,” she added.
Shah Rukh Khan and his entourage stopped at Mumbai airport for an hour over 6 watches
8:32 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (November 13, 2022)
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and five of his team members were stopped for an hour at Mumbai airport by customs officials early on Saturday over payment of duty for 6 luxury watches worth Rs 17.90 lakh. After their evaluation, customs duty of Rs 6.90 lakh was levied on the watches.
Khan had flown in from Dubai on a chartered flight at 12. 30am and the payment facility was not operational at that time.
An official said during the screening of the luggage of the actor and his entourage, the watches were found in one of the bags that was with Khan’s bodyguard Ravi Shankar Singh.
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Shah Rukh Khan and team stopped at Mumbai international airport; Actor’s bodyguard was found carrying watches and goods worth Rs 17 lakh
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; November 13, 2022)
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, his manager Pooja Dadlani, and bodyguard Ravi were stopped at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Friday evening, for allegedly carrying expensive watches and other dutiable goods. Sources told midday that while Khan and his manager were allowed to leave, the bodyguard was released on Saturday morning after paying customs duty and a fine of Rs 6.87 lakh.
According to a source in the customs, Khan and his team landed via a chartered plane at the airport and were supposed to exit from the Kalina VIP gate, but the officer of the customs batch B stopped them based on information that the actor was carrying expensive watches. “After a thorough search, it was found that his bodyguard Ravi was carrying expensive watches.”
The total value of the watches and other dutiable goods was worth Rs 17 lakh, which included expensive watches such as Buben, Zorweg, Rolex, and Apple. After all customs duties and fine calculations were done, Ravi was asked to pay Rs 6.87 lakh. “He was allowed to leave after completing all formalities and paying the penalties,” the officer added.
Aryan Khan case: Here is how Sameer Wankhede bungled the probe
8:57 AM
The vigilance team’s report and its charge sheet highlight many glaring violations—removal of 16 names mentioned in the tip-off, failure to file NIL panchnamas; giving a free hand to witness K P Gosavi
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; October 20, 2022)
The then zonal director Sameer Wankhede who raided the “drug” party on the Cordelia cruise ship in October last year violated multiple rules in the NCB field officers’ handbook. The vigilance team’s report and its charge sheet highlight many glaring violations—removal of 16 names mentioned in the tip-off, failure to file NIL panchnamas; giving a free hand to witness K P Gosavi; letting witnesses handle detainees during their transfer to NCB office; not bringing lady cops despite inputs of women suspects; and alleged attempt at extorting Shah Rukh Khan. Moreover, sources have said that they let off two top cops without checking them.
Among the officers named in the charge sheet are Wankhede, former superintendent at NCB Vishwavijay Singh, junior intelligence officer S R Shinde and former intelligence officer of NCB Ashish Ranjan who was also the investigating officer in the Cordelia Cruises drug case, sources said. Ranjan, who was posted with the NCB on probation, has returned to the CISF--his parent cadre.
According to the report of vigilance team that investigated the conduct of Wankhede and his team, the anti-narcotics cops in Mumbai manipulated the key note—the informal information received from the source. Before raiding the cruise ship on October 1, the NCB cops under scanner removed 16 names from the list and targeted only 11 people, including Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, and detained them, according to the report.
It appears that the officers let off 16 people after possible acceptance of illegal gratification, states the charge sheet. Six officers, including Wankhede, have been asked to appear before the inquiry committee in connection with this particular allegation. Sources, however, told mid-day that the key note received just a few hours before the raid had only 11 names initially, and 16 more were added when the informer updated the list of people present aboard the ship.
No NIL panchanama
The charge sheet points to another lapse—non-filing of NIL panchnamas. As per the procedure, a NIL panchanama has to be filed when nothing is found after frisking an individual. However, not a single NIL panchanama was found after frisking many on whom nothing was found at the party, the charge sheet said.
During the raid, the NCB team had checked a top Bollywood actress’s brother and another person who was arrested in the Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case, sources said. However, no NIL panchnama was filed in their names, they added. Sources also said that one director general-rank officer and one inspector general-rank officer were also present at the “drug” party, but they were allowed to leave without any checking and questioning.
Free hand to Gosavi
The vigilance team also highlighted that K P Gosavi, NCB’s witness in the case, was given a free hand during the raid and thereafter. The team found that Gosavi was clicking selfies with Aryan and recorded his audio inside the NCB office to send messages to Pooja Dadlani, the manager of Shah Rukh. The vigilance officers believe that it could have been an attempt at extortion.
However, the vigilance team did not find any evidence, as Prabhakar Sail who alleged extortion attempt by Gosavi, died of a heart attack in April this year. Sail, in an affidavit, alleged that he overheard Gosavi and one Sam D’Souza talking about a Rs 25-crore deal in Aryan Khan case, and that Rs 8 crore was to go to Wankhede.
The charge sheet mentions that when the detainees were taken to the NCB office from Cordelia cruise ship, the panchas [witnesses] in the matter, who were private persons, handled them, instead of cops. Handling of detainees by the witnesses during transfer is against the rule.
Moreover, separate panchanamas were not made after the arrest of Aryan and his friend Arbaz Merchant, the charge sheet states. However, a senior lawyer requesting anonymity, told mid-day, “There is no need of making two different panchnamas for one seizure of both accused from one place. Different panchnamas can be drawn only if the seizure is at two different locations.”
Manhandling
The charge sheet also alleges that anti-narcotics cops manhandled one accused, Vikran Chokar, on the ship and at the office. Moreover, the NCB raid team did not bring any lady officer on the ship even though the key note named two female suspects and also failed to inform the local police.
A constable previously associated with the NCB, in its statement to the vigilance team, alleged that Wankhede has good connections with criminals in Mumbai and might face consequences if he speaks against them, according to the charge sheet. Wankhede is currently posted in Chennai under the director general of taxpayers services, an office of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBIC).
Wankhede files atrocities plaint against NCB DDG
Indian Revenue Service officer Sameer Wankhede has moved the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), making harassment and atrocities allegations against NCB Deputy Director General (DDG) Gyaneshwar Singh. The DDG headed the vigilance team that probed the conduct of Wankhede and his team in the Aryan Khan case.
Based on the complaint, the NCSC has issued a notice to the secretary, Ministry Of Home Affairs; director general of police, NCB; chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBIC). The notice states that the commission has decided “to investigate/enquire his complaint”. They have to respond within 15 days since the receipt of the notice.
“The commission has observed that there appears to be discrimination and harassment of the petitioner, therefore, the commission has desired that no further action in the matter be taken till the pendency of the case in the commission (sic),” it reads.
It has asked the CBIC board to submit “original documents submitted by the special enquiry team of the NCB...for its perusal and examination.” Speaking with mid-day, Wankhede refused to comment, saying, “the matter is seized with the NSCS”.
With inputs from Diwakar Sharma
SIT may fold probe into ‘extortion’ charges in Aryan Khan arrest case
8:03 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (December 23, 2021)
Mumbai: The special investigation team Mumbai Police probing allegations of extortion in the arrest of actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan in a drug case is likely to close it as the actor’s manager Pooja Dadlani, who is alleged to have handed over the money, is yet to appear for giving her statement.
A senior police officer said police have sent summons twice to Dadlani, but she has not appeared before the SIT. Asked if police were thinking of closing the inquiry, a senior IPS officer told TOI that in the event of Dadlani not appearing, they are likely to close it.
A senior police officer said, “There is no official complaint of extortion. It was expected the victim would approach SIT for recording the statement. However, so far no one has come forward. We are still hoping that the aggrieved party will meet the SIT members.”
Aryan Khan was arrested by the NCB on October 3 in a drug case. He was released from jail on October 30.
Kiran Gosavi, one of the witnesses, was arrested by Pune police in October in connection with a cheating case. Gosavi’s bodyguard, Prabhakar Sail, had submitted a complaint before MRA Marg police alleging he had overheard Gosavi talking to one Sam D’souza about money being demanded in Aryan’s case for his release. It is alleged that Gosavi wanted to contact Khan to extort money. He with the help of D’souza allegedly met a Bandra hotelier, who reportedly connected him to Khan’s manager Dadlani. D’souza had earlier claimed Gosavi and others had taken Rs 50 lakh from Dadlani but returned the money. The SIT had recorded Gosavi’s statement.
Police, after getting an application, formed an SIT, which collected CCTV footage of places mentioned in Sail’s application where he alleged money was given. “We have recorded statements of 19 to 20 people,” said an officer. The police have recorded statements of D’souza, Sail, and others. After the first summons, Dadlani did not appear before SIT citing health issues. A second summons has been issued, said the officer.
Aryan Khan case: Why the parallel drugs-on-cruise probe has stalled
8:13 AM
SRK’s manager Pooja Dadlani’s refusal to record her statement with Mumbai police has meant their case is dead in the water due to crucial lack of a complainant
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; December 22, 2021)
The thin line between extortion and bribery has forced Mumbai Police’s Special Enquiry Team (SET) to put an enquiry on hold. The SET was formed to enquire into the alleged extortion by NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) officials in connection with the drugs-on-cruise case to release actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan. The other reason for the police’s enquiry reaching a dead end is SRK’s manager Pooja Dadlani not appearing before them despite multiple summons. She has given medical reasons for not joining the probe.
The Mumbai police, which formed the SET last month, also took legal opinion and believes that Dadlani is not legally bound to appear before them as they are only conducting an enquiry and no offence has been registered. “We have recorded multiple statements and Dadlani's statement is very crucial to move ahead and register an FIR in the case because she is the victim. Either she or Shah Rukh Khan has to complain,” an officer said. “As Dadlani has not appeared before the SET, the enquiry has been put on hold and further legal opinion has been sought in the case,” another officer added.
“Criminal law can be set in motion by anyone. They can register an FIR if they know an offence has been committed but the complainant's statement is needed during investigation. After registering an FIR, they can summon anyone and the person is legally bound to appear before them. In this case, if the victim comes forward after the FIR and says that no extortion has happened, they can close the case,” senior lawyer Rizwan Merchant told mid-day.
After NCB witness Prabhakar Sail's claim, the NCB said that Dadlani tried to influence the witnesses and the investigation. The NCB’s vigilance team is also conducting a probe against Wankhede and other witnesses to check if any attempts were made to extort money from SRK to release his son. The NCB vigilance team headed by IPS Gyaneshwar Singh has recorded the statement of multiple people but not yet submitted their report.
Awaiting vigilance team report
Now the Mumbai police are enquiring about the alleged extortion case and have put it on hold waiting for the report from vigilance team of NCB. “The NCB has the upper hand in the case as Aryan got arrested. They can say that Dadlani tried to bribe the officers to get a favour which was to release Aryan Khan. The Mumbai police’s SET has not found any evidence against NCB officials in the ongoing probe. To investigate the role of NCB officials, first they have to register an FIR,” said an officer of the Maharashtra police.
The officer also said that the Mumbai police are waiting for the NCB vigilance report because if it is a case of bribery (Did Dadlani try to bride an NCB official - K P Gosavi allegedly told her he was one - to free Aryan), then it becomes the exclusive jurisdiction of NCB to take action against their own officers, and to find if they demanded a bribe to do a favour or they were offered certain favours.
Experts speak
P S Pasricha, former Commisioner of Mumbai police said, “The Mumbai police should try and find whether the victim is scared or deliberately avoiding coming forward. If the victim is scared they should talk to him/her and assured them of full security. In cases of extortion they need the victim to register an FIR, in other cases like murder or any other offence cops can become complainant.”
“Extortion is a crime wherein the accused demands goods, services or money through coercion against the will of another and blackmail is noticed. Bribery is offering and giving anything of value as a means of influencing the actions of a person holding public office. Solicitation of a bribe clearly is also a criminal activity. There is also a thin line as an unwilling bribe giver in a given case can be trapped in a web created by the conspirators which would involve blackmail and coercion,” said senior lawyer Dr Sujay Kantawala. Dadlani did not respond to this reporter’s messages.
Why SET was formed
The Mumbai police had formed the SET in November to probe the claim of one of NCB’s panch witnesses (Prabhakar Sail) who gave an affidavit and a complaint saying nothing was found on Aryan and he was framed. He also alleged that as witness he was forced to sign on a plain sheet of paper. He also said that he overheard conversation between his boss K P Gosavi and Sam Dsouza (the middle man who helped Gosavi get in touch with Dadlani) about demanding Rs 24 crore and settling everything for Rs 18 crore as Rs 8 crore was supposed to go to NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede. However, when D’Souza came forward, he said that NCB was never involved in this it was all done by Gosavi who allegedly impersonated an NCB officer and had a meeting with Dadlani twice. Later, Rs 50 lakh was given to D’Souza by Dadlani. The money was handed over to Sail and he gave it to Gosavi and later it was returned to Dadlani after everything was messed up and Aryan got arrested in the case.
Despite two summons, Shah Rukh Khan's manager Pooja Dadlani yet to record statement
8:31 AM
Dadlani’s statement is crucial to the ongoing investigation as well as filing of the FIR in the drugs-on-cruise case, said police officers
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; November 16, 2021)
As the inquiry by Mumbai Police's Special Enquiry Team (SET) has hit a roadblock after Shah Rukh Khan’s manager, Pooja Dadlani, again did not come forward to record her statement, cops are now exploring legal opinion. Dadlani’s statement is crucial to the ongoing investigation as well as filing of the FIR in the drugs-on-cruise case, said police officers. According to sources, Dadlani has sought time citing health reasons.
The SET has briefed the Mumbai Police commissioner about the ongoing inquiry. The team will issue a third summons to Dadlani, and if she does not turn up, cops will act as per legal remedies available. “Two summons have already been issued to her but she has not turned up. We will act as per the law,” a police officer said.
Meanwhile, police officers recorded the statement of Sam D’Souza on Monday. So far, statements of 20 people have been recorded.
NCB’s panch witness Prabhakar Sail has, in his affidavit, alleged that D’Souza was a middleman and was instrumental in connecting K P Gosavi, another panch witness, and Manish Bhansali, a BJP worker. Sail also alleged that he overheard a conversation between D’Souza and Gosavi about a R25-crore deal, of which R8 crore was supposed to go to NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede.
However, D’Souza, in a TV interview, has confessed that Dadlani gave money to Gosavi in a bid to release Aryan Khan. He further said that after the deal got stuck, he and another middleman Sunil Patil helped Dadlani get the money back. He has also given a clean chit to Wankhede and his team and said that they were not involved in the case.
The SET, on Monday, questioned D’Souza regarding the allegations by Sail as well as his association with NCB officers.
Aryan Khan case: Not NCB officials, extortion deal was all by Kiran Gosavi, says Sam DSouza
8:17 AM
Rosy Sequeira (THE TIMES OF INDIA; November 4, 2021)
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday rejected a plea for anticipatory bail by Sam D’souza, whose name has come up in connection with the Cordelia cruise drugs case.
“The applicant has preferred the application without approaching sessions court and therefore it is rejected,” said Justice Surendra Tavade. He heard a plea by Sanville D’souza, alias Sam D’souza, who had also urged for three days’ notice before any coercive step is taken against him.
D’souza moved court apprehending arrest by the special investigation team set up by the state government to look into the payoff allegations. There was an allegation made by a witness, Prabhakar Sail, that a deal of Rs 18 crore was made for the release of Aryan Khan. Sail had specifically named D’souza as a beneficiary.
D’souza’s advocate argued that he is not arraigned as an accused and there is no FIR against him. “During the course of the whole thing, allegations made by some persons against Sameer Wankhede stating that to grant relief, he had taken money,” he said. But Justice Tavade interrupted him, saying he won’t hear the petition. “I’m not going to entertain this. You have a forum. Don’t waste my time,” he added.
The petition said D’souza is a consultant in a stone quarry business. On October 1, he was contacted by an associate Sunil Patil, who had information about drug use on Cordelia and the involvement of celebrities. Patil told Sam that Kiran Gosavi and Manish Bhanushali would contact him. Patil took NCB officials’ contact numbers from D’souza. On October 2, Patil said that a very influential person was arrested for drugs and asked D’souza to verify. Gosavi told him that Aryan was arrested and he wanted to speak to his father’s manager Pooja Dadlani.
D’souza’s petition said he contacted Dadlani through a mutual friend, a hotelier, and met her at Lower Parel. Dadlani allegedly told him she “is the decision-taker.” D’souza introduced Gosavi to Dadlani. Gosavi showed her a list in which Aryan’s name was not present and informed her that Khan had no drugs on him and he could help Aryan “get out of the situation.” Thereafter, Dadlani and Gosavi spoke in private, he said.
On October 3, D’souza said he was “shocked” to learn an FIR has been registered against Khan. After that, he learnt from Patil that Gosavi had taken Rs 50 lakh from Dadlani through Sail, who is also Gosavi’s bodyguard. D’souza said he realized Gosavi was a fraud and that his “only motive was to recover the money than be known for fraud.” Therefore he contacted Patil and Gosavi, recovered the money and returned it to Dadlani through her husband.
D’souza’s petition said he is innocent and has nothing to do with the alleged offence and he is falsely implicated by Sail.
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Seeking anticipatory bail from Bombay High Court, Sam D’Souza, who is accused of brokering a deal by another witness, says he fears arrest by Mumbai police’s special team
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; November 4, 2021)
Sam D’Souza, the mysterious character mentioned in the affidavit of NCB’s panch witness Prabhakar Sail accused of brokering a deal between K P Gosavi and NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, has approached the Bombay HC for anticipatory bail, as he fears arrest by the SIT of Mumbai police. D’Souza in his bail application on Wednesday, said the extortion was not by NCB officers, it was Gosavi who did everything.
But after he realised that Gosavi was a fraud, the money was taken from him and returned to SRK’s manager Pooja Dadlani through her husband.
Prabhakar Sail, in his affidavit, had alleged that he overheard a telephonic conversation between Gosavi and D’Souza, where they were talking about a deal of Rs 25 crore to release Aryan Khan and wanted to settle it in Rs 18 crore, of which and Rs. 8 crore was supposed to go to Wankhede. Sail also claimed he got two bags full of cash on the instructions of Gosavi from Indiana bar in Worli. He later added that the bags had Rs. 50 lakh cash which he gave to Gosavi. He also alleged that on October 3 Gosavi asked him to meet D’Souza and gave him Rs 3.8 lakh.
D’Souza in his anticipatory bail application has corroborated the extortion deal but said that NCB officials were not involved, it was all done by Gosavi. “After coming to know that Kiran Gosavi was a fraud (he learnt about cases against him through the media), the applicant’s only motive was to recover the money and save his image. Therefore, he connected with Sunil Patil (another middle man) and Gosavi and recovered the money and returned it to Pooja Dadlani, through her husband,” he said in the bail application.
D’Souza also said that Gosavi had a number saved as SW2 (Sameer Wankhede). “I saw that Gosavi had saved a mobile no. as SW2, thereby showing that he was connected to top NCB officials; however, the true caller showed the name Prabhakar Sail,” D’Souza’s bail application reads.
‘Very influential person arrested’
D’Souza’s affidavit further reads that on October 2 he got a call from one Sunil Patil who informed him that a very influential person was arrested for drugs on the Cordelia cruise and requested the applicant to check and verify this. According to D’Souza, as Patil insisted, he along with an associate, Kapil Dhole Patil, went to the green gate in his car. “The applicant (D’Souza) was not aware of the influential person and went to the green gate where he met Gosavi and Manish Bhanushali who thanked him for helping them to connect to NCB officials. Gosavi then informed the applicant that the influential person arrested was Aryan Shah Rukh Khan,” the application reads further.
After that, D’Souza was informed by Gosavi that Aryan wanted to connect with SRK’s manager Pooja Dadlani. Gosavi also told D’Souza that Khan had no drug in his possession till that time and was innocent. “Kiran Gosavi convinced me that he could help Aryan Khan get some relief and asked me to connect with Pooja Dadlani. The applicant told Gosavi that he has no direct connection with Dadlani but he can try to connect with her,” the application said.
‘Aryan did not have drugs on him’
The application also reveals that D’Souza contacted Dadlani through a mutual friend who is a hotelier, and met her at Lower Parel. After that D’Souza introduced Gosavi and Pooja Dadlani at Lower Parel for the first time with Chikky Pandey, Mayur Ghule, Kapil Patil and Dadlani’s husband Hitesh. During the meeting, Gosavi showed a list of people apprehended at the cruise and Aryan’s name was not mentioned as he was not found in possession of drugs, and assured that he could help to get Aryan out of the situation. According to D’Souza, after Gosavi showed details some confidential meeting happened between Dadlani and Gosavi and he left the place.
D’Souza also said in his application that on October 3 he got to know about the arrest of Aryan Khan and he was shocked and contacted Sunil Patil, who then informed him that Gosavi had taken Rs. 50 lakh through his bodyguard Prabhakar Sail. He also said that later he got to know Gosavi was a fraud. The application also alleged that Prabhakar Sail is a conspirator along with Gosavi to extort money.
The Bombay High Court late on Wednesday rejected D’Souza’s bail application saying he should have approached the sessions court first.
Shah Rukh Khan's manager paid money to save Aryan, but it was returned-Sam DSouza
8:15 AM
Ahmed Ali (THE TIMES OF INDIA; November 3, 2021)
Mumbai: Sam D’Souza, one of the persons mentioned in the affidavit submitted by Prabhakar Sail, a witness in the cruise drug bust case, has claimed in a television interview that Shah Rukh Khan’s manager, Pooja Dadlani, had paid money hoping to save the actor’s son Aryan from arrest, but the money was returned when they realised it was not possible.
D’Souza, a businessman, alleged that Dadlani had handed over Rs 50 lakh to K P Gosavi, another witness in the same case, but when he realised that Gosavi was a “cheat”, he asked him to return the money to her.
Sail, in his affidavit, had mentioned that Gosavi, Dadlani and D’Souza met early October 3 at Lower Parel. Sail, bodyguard to Gosavi, dropped him to his Vashi residence. Gosavi later asked Sail to pick up money from outside a hotel in Tardeo. A person arrived in a car and gave Sail two bags, which he took to D’Souza at Trident Hotel. D’Souza counted the money and said it was only Rs 38 lakh, the affidavit stated. Sail claimed to have overheard a conversation where Gosavi and others discussed demanding Rs 25 crore, of which Rs 8 crore was to be paid to NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede.
“After much abuse and pressure, we managed to recover Rs 38 lakh from Gosavi, the rest we contributed and paid back to Dadlani and we understood that Gosavi was a cheat,” D’Souza told the TV channel.
D’Souza clarified that Gosavi had saved Sail’s phone number as ‘SW’ and told him that he was under pressure from ‘SW’ (Sameer Wankhede). But, through Truecaller app, D’Souza realised it was Sail’s number.
Clarifying that he had nothing to do with the October 2 raid, D’souza said he got a call from one Sunil Patil on October 1, who claimed to have some information about the party onboard the cruise ship the next day. “Patil asked me to connect him to the NCB. Hence, I called up Gosavi and connected the duo,” he claimed.
D’Souza said he assumed that Gosavi had recorded Aryan’s voice note saying, “Papa, I am in NCB’s custody,” in his phone. Aryan told Gosavi to contact Dadlani and he is believed to have sent this voice note to her to reaffirm that he has access to the NCB office and was bargaining on behalf of an NCB official.
D’Souza said he agreed to help only after Gosavi told him that no drugs were found on Aryan and he then sent a message to Dadlani through a contact. “I never absconded. I will file an affidavit in a day or two as unknown people have been calling me and visiting my house impersonating police and issuing threats,” he said.
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BJP distances itself from row over NCB officer Wankhede
The BJP has distanced itself from NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede. Addressing a press conference at Bandra on Tuesday, BJP MLA Ashish Shelar said it is not the party’s job to give Wankhede a character certificate. “We support NCB in its action against drugs ...Action must be initiated against those in possession of drugs like charas, ganja or even herbal tobacco irrespective of the quantity and the person involved,” he said.
Accusing NCP’s Nawab Malik of being secretive and fabricating issues, Shelar said he has been making “revelations of past incidents” since Aryan Khan’s arrest. “Malik’s son-in-law was arrested for drug possession and was in jail for eight months. It is clear Malik knew about the deals and has violated his constitutional oath of office by not informing the governor...”
Shelar said ever since BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis threatened to “drop a bomb” against Malik, there has been a change in the latter’s tone and body language.
Aryan Khan case: NCB accuses Shah Rukh Khan’s manager of influencing witnesses
8:23 AM
Former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi at Bombay High Court on Tuesday. Pic/Bipin Kokate
As former attorney general appears for the actor’s son, Narcotics Control Bureau sticks to its ‘international drug link’ stand
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; October 27, 2021)
As former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi and senior advocate Amit Desai concluded their arguments defending Aryan Khan on Tuesday, the Bombay High Court adjourned the matter till 2.30 pm on Wednesday. Opposing Khan’s bail plea, the Narcotics Control Bureau accused his father Shah Rukh Khan’s manager Pooja Dadlani of influencing witnesses. The agency said the allegations against its zonal director Sameer Wankhede are an attempt to derail the investigation into the drugs-on-cruise case.
In its reply before HC, the NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) said, “At this juncture, without going into the merits, the Respondents state and submit that attempts are being made on behalf to tamper with the ongoing investigation with a malafide attempt to derail the same. This is evident from the contents of a purported affidavit dated October 23, 2021, by one Prabhakar R Sail. Such a document has not been filed in any proceeding before any court despite the fact that the matter is subjudice before the Hon’ble Sessions Court and this Hon’ble Court.”
On the copies of Sail’s affidavit being shared on social media, NCB’s reply said, “Curiously, the same [affidavit] has been clandestinely distributed and widely publicised in the media. Significantly, such purported affidavit clearly names one Pooja Dadlani, manager connected to Aryan Khan. It so appears that the said lady appears to have influenced such panch witness when the investigation is ongoing, such interference at the stage of investigation is a malafide attempt to ensure that the same is derailed and the quest of truth is obstructed.”
Insisting that Khan has international drug, the NCB said, “The is material so far on record shows that accused no 1 [Aryan Khan] was in touch with some persons abroad who appears to be a part of an international drug network of illicit procurement of drug, the investigation in this regard is in progress.”
The agency said it opposed Khan’s bail application in “totality”, stressing that he has failed to produce any documents on record to substantiate that he was invited to such party that took place on the said cruise, as VIP or otherwise. The agency said there is no irregularity in the panchnama and that Khan voluntarily handed over his mobile phone to the NCB. Rejecting allegation of falsely implicating Khan, NCB said the investigations are ongoing and the charge sheet is yet to be filed.
Former attorney general Rohatgi said nothing was found on Khan and there is no blood report confirming consumption. “The NCB's claim is that I was in conscious possession but what somebody is carrying in his shoes is not my concern and that cannot be termed as conscious possession. Even if conscious possession is considered, the maximum punishment is one year which cannot be barred under section 37 of NDPS Act as cited by special NDPS court rejecting the bail plea as I am not charged under 27A of NDPS Act. But the agency is indirectly bringing section 27A to bar under 37 of NDPS Act.”
Rohatgi also argued that the WhatsApp chats recovered from Khan’s phone are not on record but have been used by the agency. “None of these chats relates to the cruise party or this entire saga,” he argued, adding, “This has nothing to do with the cruise party. The chats are with other people before. I just went there and had nothing in my possession but I was arrested,” he said.
Khan through his counsel also filed a rejoinder distancing itself from Sail’s affidavit. He said he has nothing to do with the allegations and counter-allegations doing rounds in the public domain—between an NCB officer and certain politicians. “The applicant does not make any allegations against any individual in the prosecution department. The applicant has no connection with Mr Sail and Mr Gosavi who is also a panch witness in the case,” said Khan’s counsel.
Meanwhile, Prabhakar Sail gave a written complaint to the MRA police station about the extortion he has claimed in his affidavit. “We have received his complaint and will initiate an inquiry before registering any offence,” a senior officer told mid-day.
Drugs case: ‘Elusive’ NCB witness K P Gosavi surfaces, denies extortion charges
8:37 AM
Ahmed Ali (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 26, 2021)
Mumbai: Prabhakar Sail, bodyguard to witness in the drug bust case K P Gosavi, was given police protection by the MVA government a day after he filed an affidavit levelling serious allegations, including a payoff to NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) zonal chief Sameer Wankhede, in the cruise liner drug raid that led to the arrest of actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan.
In another development, Gosavi, who had gone into hiding since NCP minister Nawab Malik said he had criminal cases registered against him, surfaced on Monday and denied all allegations, including those of extortion.
Gosavi was quoted by ANI as saying he would surrender “in half an hour outside Maharashtra”. He also denied meeting Shah Rukh Khan’s manager Pooja Dadlani—one of the claims made by Sail.
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Mumbai: State home minister Dilip Walse Patil said on Monday that “we have gone through Prabhakar Sail’s affidavit” in which he levelled allegations against NCB. Walse Patil said, “He has said he fears for his life. We have given him police protection as his wish.” On Monday, Sail visited the Mumbai police headquarters to lodge a complaint. Sources said he was asked to approach Sahar police station, under whose jurisdiction he stays. Sahar police said they are looking into the complaint.
K P Gosavi, for his part, clarified that the selfie with Aryan Khan that had gone viral after the October 2 raid was taken on the cruise terminal and not at the NCB office. He said he had received information about the drugs racket from a source and had informed the NCB. He said there was a threat to his life.
Gosavi, who claims to run a private detective agency, is one of nine independent witnesses. There are offences of cheating registered against him in Thane and Pune. Pune police recently issued a lookout circular against him in connection with a 2018 cheating case. In an interview to electronic media, Gosavi said he was very much available in Mumbai till October 6, but as he started getting threat calls from unknown numbers, he had to go into hiding.
Recalling the sequence of events of the NCB raid, he said that as he got information on the drugs, he passed it on to NCB officials, and when he went to the cruise, he first met NCB superintendent V V Singh and later met Wankhede. Until then he did not know about Wankhede, he said. In the early hours of October 3, Sail claimed that while escorting Gosavi, he overheard him discussing a demand of Rs. 25 crore and his willingness to “settle” at Rs. 18 crore, of which Rs. 8 crore was to be allegedly paid to Wankhede.
Meanwhile, TOI visited Adarsh building in Waghbil, Thane, where Gosavi used to live. A security guard there said, “Gosavi lived as a tenant on the 2nd floor for a couple of months. He used to come with a woman and a bodyguard in an SUV, which had a metal plate with ‘police’ written on it. He mostly used to come late night and kept changing vehicles, but with the ‘police’ plate inside.” The guard added, “Most of the time, he used to move around like a cop, holding two mobiles and a cigarette case.” He said Gosavi left the place around the time of the Ganesh festival. The guard said a couple of days ago, a team of Pune police and local cops had come to the place.
TOI visited another locked flat in Sector 28, Vashi. A guard said, “Gosavi came to stay with his wife here in September. Ever since his name flashed on TV, he stopped visiting.”
—Inputs from Nishikant Karlikar & George Mendonca
NCB orders vigilance probe against Sameer Wankhede
8:32 AM
Ahmed Ali (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 26, 2021)
Mumbai: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has initiated a vigilance probe against its zonal director (western region) Sameer Wankhede after the personal bodyguard of a witness in the Aryan Khan drug case accused him of demanding a bribe. An affidavit by Prabhakar Sail, assigned to protect the witness K P Gosavi, cited an alleged meeting in which a payoff to Wankhede was discussed.
NCB deputy director general (DDG) for the north, Gyaneshwar Singh, told TOI he was “supervising the inquiry into allegations (against Wankhede). We have taken note of the affidavit and have initiated the inquiry. It will be transparent and fair.” Singh told PTI a report was also received from NCB’s DDG for the northwest region and that it was marked to the vigilance section of the bureau. We are a professional organisation and we are open for an inquiry into any allegation against our staffers.” Wankhede refused to comment on the inquiry.
Singh said it was too early to say if Wankhede will continue in his current post while the probe is on. Sources said the probe will involve recording statements of all witnesses in the Aryan Khan drug case, including the two produced by the NCB, K P Gosavi who claims to be a private investigator, and Manish Bhanushali, who is said to be a BJP worker. Wankhede's statements and those of his team members may also be recorded. The inquiry will also look into allegations of political interference levelled by NCP leader Nawab Malik.
Sail, who made the allegation against Wankhede, has claimed he faces a threat to his life from Wankhede. He said he was made to sign blank papers by the NCB. He said his boss K P Gosavi had a meeting with Shah Rukh Khan's manager Pooja Dadlani and a man named Sam D’Souza at Lower Parel. Sail claims he overheard Gosavi discussing with D’Souza a demand for a Rs 25-crore bribe and finally settling for a payment of Rs 8 crore.
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NCB orders internal probe into high-profile officer, following allegations that he was paid Rs 8 crore in the cruise liner case
Vishal Singh (MID-DAY; October 26, 2021)
The Narcotics Control Bureau has ordered a vigilance probe into the claims of an Andheri resident, who claimed to be the personal bodyguard of panch witness K P Gosavi, and has accused the agency’s zonal director Sameer Wankhede of bribery in the Aryan Khan case. Through a video message and an affidavit, Sail has claimed that he had overheard talks that the NCB’s zonal director was to be “given” Rs 8 crore.
The vigilance inquiry will be led by the agency’s Deputy D G Gyaneshwar Singh. “I have been entrusted with the task of investigating the allegations being made in this case, I will come to Mumbai on Tuesday and investigate the matter,” Singh told mid-day.
Through a video message and an affidavit, Sail has claimed that he had overheard talks that NCB’s Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede was to be “given” Rs 8 crore, on the day Aryan Khan was arrested following a drug bust on a cruise liner. Gosavi and Wankhede have rejected Sail’s allegations.
On Monday, Prabhakar Sail approached the Sahar police demanding protection. Earlier, he met Joint CP (Crime) Milind Bharambe. Acting on his request, the Mumbai police have given him protection. State Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil told media, “Prabhakar Sail had asked for security on which Mumbai police has provided him security. There is talk of NCB demanding a bribe through a witness, but till now no one has given a complaint to the police.”
No blanket order: court on NCB, Waknhede’s affidavits
Meanwhile, a special court said it cannot pass a blanket order barring courts from taking cognisance of the affidavit by Sail, an independent witness in the drugs-on-cruise case, levelling serious allegations against Wankhede. The court’s response came on two affidavits by Wankhede and NCB countering the allegations.
As per the NCB and its zonal director, the allegations were an attempt to create hurdles and scuttle the investigation in the case. The central agency had also sought the court to pass appropriate orders to ensure there is no tampering with the evidence or investigation in the case.
Special Judge V V Patil, designated to hear cases related to the Narcotics Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, saying, “Considering the nature of the relief claimed in the applications [affidavits], no such blanket orders can be passed. It is for the concerned court or authority to pass appropriate order at the relevant stage.” It also said the matter was sub-judice as the Bombay High Court is scheduled to hear the bail pleas of Aryan Khan and his co-accused on Tuesday.
Personal vendetta: Wankhede
As state minority minister Nawab Malik continues to attack Wankhede, the zonal director issued a press release saying the charges levelled against him are “defamatory in nature and unnecessary invasion of my family privacy”. It came after Malik shared on Twitter what looked like the officer’s birth certificate and seemed to suggest that Wankhede had used forged documents.
Rs. 8 crore payoff to NCB zonal chief, alleges witness’ guard in affidavit
8:41 AM
Cites Meeting Attended By SRK’s Manager
Ahmed Ali (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 25, 2021)
Mumbai: The seizure of contraband from a cruise liner on October 2 night leading to the arrest of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan has turned murkier with the personal bodyguard of a witness filing an affidavit levelling serious allegations of a payoff to a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) official.
The affidavit by Prabhakar Sail, bodyguard to drug case witness K P Gosavi, cites a meeting between Shah Rukh’s manager Pooja Dadlani, Gosavi and one Sam D’Souza in the wee hours of October 3 in Lower Parel. The affidavit also mentions a payment of Rs. 8 crore to be made to NCB zonal chief Sameer Wankhede.
Sail said he feared that NCB officials and other persons involved “may kill or abduct me like Gosavi”. Gosavi has not been traceable since NCP minister Nawab Malik sparked a controversy over including him as witness.
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Bodyguard claims Gosavi asked him to collect Rs. 50 lakhs, give it to Sam
Mumbai: In his affidavit, Prabhakar Sail has questioned the decision to make K P Gosavi, against whom criminal cases were pending, as a witness in the cruise drug seizure case. Pune police have even issued a lookout notice against Gosavi for his involvement in a 2018 cheating case. Sail is Gosavi’s bodyguard. NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede has denied all allegations.
The raid on the cruise ship began on October 2 and continued till the next day. Aryan Khan and two others were arrested on October 3 after hours of interrogation. The affidavit states that Aryan was brought from the international cruise terminal to NCB office in Ballard Pier in Gosavi’s vehicle.
The affidavit, dated October 23, sworn before notary R B Gupta, has provided details of a series of events that unfolded the night before the raid.
Sail has narrated one of the conversation which says, “Till such time we reached Lower Parel, Gosavi was talking to Sam D’Souza on the phone and said that ‘you put a bomb of Rs 25 crore and let’s settle at 18 because we have to give 8 crore to Sameer Wankhede’.”
Sail said Gosavi told him to come to NCB office on October 2. “I asked the driver, Vijay Suryavanshi, where Gosavi is. He told me Gosavi is in the NCB office in a meeting with official… At 10.30 pm, I was called by Gosavi in the boarding area (where the cruise ship was docked) and I saw Aryan in one of the cabins...I also saw a girl, Munmun Dhamecha, and a few others with NCB officials,’’ said Sail. Aryan, his friend Arbaaz Merchant and Dhamecha were arrested together. After the raid, Gosavi drove the Innova, along with Aryan and NCB officials, to the agency’s office, while Sail came on foot.
“I reached there and Wankhede instructed his staff to take my signature and one Salekar took 10 signatures on blank papers and my Aadhaar card details…After a while Gosavi came down the NCB office and met D’Souza. Later we drove towards Lower Parel and D’Souza’s car followed us.”
Sail said after a few minutes, a blue Mercedes came and Shah Rukh Khan’s manager Pooja Dadlani stepped out. Dadlani, D’Souza and Gosavi sat in the car and were talking. Then they all left. After driving Gosavi to his Vashi home, Gosavi asked Sail to go to Tardeo near Indiana hotel and collect Rs. 50 lakh. Sail said when he reached there, a car arrived and a man gave him two bags full of cash which he gave Gosavi. Later, Gosavi asked Sail to hand over the cash to D’Souza at Trident Hotel. When Sail gave the cash, D’Souza said there was only Rs. 38 lakh.
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Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; October 25, 2021)
A 40-year-old Andheri resident, Prabhakar Sail, who claims to be the personal bodyguard of NCB's panch witness K P Gosavi has made sensational claimes through a video and a notarised affidavit in connection with the on-going drugs-on-cruise case.
Out of the nine NCB witnesses in the Aryan Khan case, Prabhakar Sail is the number 1 witness.
Gosavi, whose selfie with Aryan Khan went viral, is an alleged private investigator of NCB and is absconding in a cheating case filed with Pune Police.
In a video and affidavit he claimed, the day Aryan Khan was arrested by NCB, he had overheard KP Gosavi and one Sam D'Souza talking on call about a money pay-off.
As per Sail’s claims, Gosavi and Sam caught up near Lower Parel’s Big Bazaar. He overheard Gosavi’s call where he was allegedly talking about a money pay off to the extent of Rs 25 crore and a final settlement of Rs 18 crore because allegedly Rs 8 crores was promised to Sameer Wankhede.
When mid-day contacted Wankhede, he said he has no idea about the meeting and Aryan Khan was arrested so how can there be a question of taking money from anyone. "I absolutely deny all allegations," Wankhede told mid-day.
Sail further claimed that shortly after this conversation with D'Souza regarding the pay off, a blue coloured Mercedes pulled in near Big Bazaar where Gosavi and D'Souza were already waiting. He claims that he saw Shah Rukh Khan's manager Pooja Dadlani was inside the Mercedes. The duo sat in her car and spoke to her for 15 minutes. Later, K P Gosavi sent D’Souza to Indiana bar in Tardeo where two people gave him a bag full of cash which was later given to Gosavi near his residence in Vashi.
Sail claims that he revealed the truth because there is threat to life.
"K P Gosavi is missing now and I’m afraid that I could be killed or abducted. As seen in big cases, witnesses often are killed or taken away. Therefore, I wanted to state the truth," he added at the end of his affidavit.
Following is Prabhakar Sail’s unedited narration as registered in the affidavit which mid-day has procured.
Sail, in his affidavit has said that, I was employed by Gosavi on 22nd July and he worked with him since then as his personal bodyguard. In his affidavit and video message he said that,"on 1st October 2021 at about 9:45 pm he (Gosavi) called me and said that he has left. On 2nd October at about 7:35 pm, Kiran Gosavi called me and said that he transferred 500 rupees to my Google pay account and told me that he is sending me a location on WhatsApp and told me to come to that location. I reached CST railway station at 8:45 p.m. and when I saw the location on WhatsApp it was shown as NCB office. I reach there by taxi and saw white Innova car MH 12 JG 3000 parked opposite NCB office. I asked driver Vijay Suryavanshi as to where is K P Gosavi. He told me that K P Gosavi is in NCB office with NCB officials. I was with the driver at 10:00 am Kiran Gosavi called the driver and came down with NCB officer from NCB office. Kiran Gosavi and the said officer left in the said Innova instructed me to wait their itself. At 12:00 p.m. K P Gosavi called me and instructed me to come at green gate and wait. At about 1:23 pm, Kiran sent some photographs on my WhatsApp and told me to keep a watch and identify the people in the photograph and to further inform him that if any of the said persons are coming to board the cruise through green gate. Accordingly I was waiting identified one person from the set photographs and informed him on WhatsApp that he has boarded bus number 2700. At 4:23 pm, he replied to me that said person who identified is caught and that 13 people are arrested. At about 10:30 pm, I was called by K P Gosavi in the boarding area. I saw one girl Munmun Dhamecha and few others with NCB officials."
He further added in his affidavit,"at about 12:30 pm, Kiran Gosavi accompanied by NCB official took Aryan Khan in his white Innova to NCB office. I reached NCB office walking at around 1 am, I received a call from K P Gosavi instructing me that I should sign as pancha and called me to NCB office. I reached there and Sameer Wankhede instructed the staff to take my signatures and one Salekar from NCB told me sign on 10 blank papers. Salekar asked for my Aadhar details. As I was not carrying my Aadhar card I asked him if I could send my Aadhar card soft copy from my cell no 9137*** **99 on what's app number 8167 609 712. After that he asked me to eat food and took one packet of food for the driver Suryavanshi."
"After sometime, K P Gosavi came down and met one person named Sam D'Souza 500 metres away from NCB office. Sam spoke to K P Gosavi for 5 minutes and again after going around the NCB office, Sam D'Souza and K P Gosavi met again. After that KP Gosavi left in the white Innova and Sam D'Souza's Innova Crysta followed us. Then we stopped at Lower Parel Bridge near Big Bazaar and somepne also stopped at the said location. Till such time we reached Lower Parel, K P Gosavi was talking to Sam on the phone and stated that you put a bomb of rupees 25 crores and lets settle at 18 final because we have to give it 8 crore to Sameer Wankhede." The affidavit reads
He further stated that,"After few minutes 1 blue colour Mercedes came to the spot and I saw Pooja Dadlani came in the car. Sam, K P Gosavi and Pooja Dadlani sat in the Mercedes and started talking. Then we all left after 15 minutes. K P Gosavi and myself reached Mantralaya. K P Gosavi spoke to someone and again left for Vashi. And immediately K P told me to take Innova car and go to Tardeo signal near Indiana Hotel and collect Rs. 50 lakh cash. I reached around 9:45 am,. at the said place where 1 white colour car with number 5102 came and gave me two bags filled with cash. Which I took and gave it to Kiran Gosavi. That time I saw that Kiran Gosavi was packing bags and leaving somewhere. In the evening K P called him and told him to come near Vashi Bridge and there after changeed location to Inorbit Mall where he came and gave back cash to me and told me to give it to Sam. Thereafter Sam called me from mobile number 9700***at about 6:15 p.m. and told me to come near Trident Hotel. I reach Trident hotel where Sam mat me and I handed over the bag of cash to him in his Inova crysta. However when he counted the cash, it was only 38 lakhs. I left from there for Vashi."
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