Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik, in the latest among a volley of attacks against Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, has alleged that that Wankhede's sister-in-law is involved in the trafficking of illicit drugs.
In a tweet posted on Monday, 8 November, Wankhede wrote:
"Sameer Dawood Wankhede, is your sister-in-law Harshada Dinanath Redkar involved in the drug business ? You must answer because her case is pending before the Pune court. Here is the proof."
The Nationalist Congress Party leader also attached details of the case against Redkar in the tweet.
Wankhede Denies Any Link to the Case
Defending himself against Malik's charge, Wankhede denied any link to the case.
"I wasn't even in service when the case happened in January 2008. I married Kranti Redkar in 2017, then how am I associated with the case anyway?" he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI on Monday.
Meanwhile, Redkar later issued a statement addressed to the media:
"I know you have lot of questions regarding a tweet Mr Nawab Malik has put on his twitter handle. I would like to say that my sister was and continues to be a victim in this case. According to our legal team it is not prudent to comment as the matter is sub-judice. My sister is going to tackle Mr. Maliks tweet legally. Shri Sameer Wankhede has no relation to this case whatsoever."
Malik's latest claim follows a slew of other allegations made by the minister against Wankhede, who has been accused of bribery in the drugs-on-cruise case involving Aryan Khan.
Malik had previously accused Wankhede of using forged documents to get a government job under the Scheduled Castes (SCs) category. He had also claimed that Wankhede was a Muslim, and that the senior NCB officer had lied about his religion.
Meanwhile, the NCB has initiated a probe, headed by a five-member team, into the allegations of bribery against Wankhede.
(With inputs from ANI.)
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