National News
Cordelia Drugs Case: Sameer Wankhede Alleges Ex-Boss, Gyaneshwar Singh Of Torturing Witnesses To Implicate Him
The blame game between IRS officer and former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede and his former senior Gyaneshwar Singh, based on whose complaint the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an alleged corruption and extortion FIR against the former, has intensified, with Wankhede accusing Singh of threatening and torturing people to implicate him.
Wankhede came into the limelight after arresting actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan in an alleged drug bust case on the cruise ship Cordelia Cruises in October 2021. He has approached the Bombay high court seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him by the CBI.
The affidavit
In a surrejoinder affidavit filed by Wankhede before the high court, he has submitted three audio clips, currently in the custody of the CBI, in which conversations reveal how Singh allegedly tortured witnesses and how one of the witnesses, Viral Rajan, purportedly told him as early as October 2022 that Shah Rukh Khan had revealed that a Delhi team would be re-investigating the entire Cordelia drug case.
Wankhede has alleged that Gyaneshwar Singh had threatened and tortured his family friend, Viral Rajan, from whom Wankhede’s wife, Kranti Redkar, had purchased expensive watches. The Wankhedes had vacationed with Rajan’s family in the Maldives.
His affidavit alleges that Gyaneshwar Singh threatened with abusive language, physically constrained and forced Rajan to implicate Wankhede. “However, when Mr Viral Rajan refused to do so, he was threatened with harm to his life and limb. A fake medical test was undertaken taken of Mr Viral Rajan, his nails were picked and a medical blood test has been done, which has been manipulated to threaten and pressurise him. Further, Mr Viral Rajan was also illegally detained in a lock-up to exert pressure to implicate me. Mr Viral Rajan was also threatened with the falsifying and tarnishing of his image in front of the media,” read Wankhede’s affidavit.
The IRS officer has further claimed that Rajan informed him on October 2, 2022, that actor Shah Rukh Khan had told him that a special Delhi team would re-investigate the entire Cordelia episode. This shows that the investigation initiated by the CBI, based on the NCB’s complaint approved by Singh, was with the ‘intention of vendetta’, in ‘retaliation’ for the complaint filed by Wankhede with the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes in September 2022 and to please Shah Rukh Khan.
Wankhede has also alleged that witnesses who were questioned during the inquiry were also threatened to make false statements. He has attached the transcript of the recording of a witness, Vijay Pratap Singh, who is also named as an accused by the NCB’s special enquiry team (SET) from Delhi, wherein he has said that he (Vijay Pratap Singh) accompanied prime witness Samville D’Souza and that D’Souza was beaten up to give ‘false testimony’, to name Wankhede.
“Samville D’Souza was a crucial person in the entire investigation conducted by the SET and the manner in which the witnesses were being questioned about me by means of coercion, threat and physical attack makes it evident how the entire enquiry and Mr Gyaneshwar Singh has been against me with mala fide intentions,” adds Wankhede’s affidavit.
Interestingly, Wankhede has submitted a transcript of the recording with one of the defence advocates, where he has said how his client was forced by the Delhi SET to give a statement that no recovery was made in the drug bust case registered by the IRS officer.
The press note
Wankhede has also reproduced the press note issued by the Gyaneshwar Singh, on behalf of the NCB on October 6, 2021, after the raid on the Cordelia and justified the action. Singh had then observed that the “seizure memos were drawn as per the provisions established by the law” and had named the independent witnesses, including Kiran Gosavi, who clicked a selfie with Aryan Khan.
The press note, Wankhede observes, had specifically mentioned that a total of 17 persons, including a foreigner, were arrested. “Various drugs like Ecstasy, Mephedrone, Hydroponic Weed @ Multi strain Cannabis & Charas etc have been recovered, including few commercial quantities of drugs, which is a serious concern. Continuous drug recoveries in the follow-up operations indicate towards the large network in this drug menace spoiling the younger generation. Investigation of the case is in progress to unearth the entire chain and network,” Singh’s press note had said.
Justifying Aryan Khan’s arrest, Wankhede has claimed that in all, there were five officers who conducted the seizures, including Ashish Rajan. The SET is focused on Ashish Rajan, since he recovered contraband from Aryan’s friend, Arbaaz Merchant, who was allegedly carrying charas for the actor’s son.
Wankhede has refuted the allegations made by Prabhakar Sail, Kiran Gosavi’s bodyguard, that a deal was brokered between Shah Rukh Khan and an NCB officer, to pay money for not arresting Aryan. Accordingly, Shah Rukh Khan’s manager Pooja Dadlani had paid Rs 50 lakh, which was collected by Sail. Sail’s statement is based on “hearsay evidence and does not give any direct evidence against me,” Wankhede’s affidavit says.
The IRS officer has said that his chats with his senior officer show that the charges which were allegedly ”thrust” on him regarding the “selective arrest of Aryan Khan” was raised by the SET and the same is pending before the Central Administrative Tribunal.” In the said chats, it becomes clear that the arrest (of Aryan Khan) was made in consultation with four superior officers, including the DG (Director General), DDG (Deputy Director general) and also the learned public prosecutor,” Wankhede has said in his affidavit.
Further, the affidavit reads: “Surprisingly, the stand of Mr Gyaneshwar Singh changed completely when he became the SET chairperson, to investigate the complaint and allegations against me, violating the basic principles of law, thereby being a judge in his own actions and covering up his own tracks and his own commissions and omissions at the cost of making false, frivolous and baseless allegations on me.”
Regarding the chats with Shah Rukh Khan, Wankhede said that by no means would any father have discussed such topics, including ethics, integrity, and national service with a person who has extorted money from him, Wankhede has said. “It is only a figment of imagination and of malice and personal vendetta of Mr Gyaneshwar Singh against me, which led to such ill-conceived conclusion to misguide the CBI and register a false FIR against me,” it adds.
National News
Not just a leader, MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde became an example of humanity, assured workers, “I will empower every worker”

In politics, leaders are often identified by their speeches and rallies, but sometimes there are times when the human face of a leader touches the hearts of people. Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde has set such an example. Rasool Ghafoor Syed, who lost his son ten days ago, went to meet MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde in Kejriwal to share his grief. There, he suffered a sudden heart attack. He was immediately taken to the hospital but died during treatment. Two major tragedies have befallen a single family in a few days. As soon as the news of the incident was received, MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde went straight to the family home. He not only offered his condolences but also sat with the family and shared their grief. During this, Dr. Shinde provided financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh and assured the responsibility of the children’s education. This incident once again proved that Dr. Shrikant Shinde is not just a politician but also a sensitive human being who understands the pain and suffering of the common people. The way he supported his family in difficult times and showed humanity is being talked about in the entire region. Minister Bharat Sheth Gogawale, MP Sandipan Bhumare, former MLA Sangeeta Thombare and Yuva Sena Inspector Bajirao Chavan were also present with Shrikant Shinde during the event.
Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party leader and MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, who is on a visit to Maharashtra, said that Marathwada has always been the stronghold of Shiv Sena, and the party will work to empower every worker there. As part of his “Shiv Samavad” tour, he interacted with workers and office bearers in Bed district to review the preparations for the upcoming elections. At a meeting held in Kej, MP Dr. Shinde said that it is necessary to strengthen the organisation at the booth level in view of the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections. He urged the workers to go to the villages and strengthen the party. He said that the party leadership is also focusing on the common workers and those who work hard will get organizational responsibilities. He said that appointments for Taluka Heads, Deputy Taluka Heads, Branch Heads and Deputy Branch Heads in Parli and Kej assembly constituencies will be made soon. Minister Bharat Sheth Gogawale highlighted the important role of BLA in the voter list revision campaign and stressed the need to collect accurate voter information at every booth. He urged the workers to work diligently for the organization. Meanwhile, MP Dr. Shinde addressed three separate meetings from Kej, Parli, Beed, Majalgaon, Ashti, and Giurai assembly constituencies of Beed district. A large number of Shiv Sena members were present in the meetings.
During his tour of the “Shiv Samavad”, Dr. Shrikant Shinde visited 23 assembly constituencies of Marathwada in the last three days, directly interacted with party workers, and conveyed the message of strengthening the organization.
National News
US President Donald Trump’s Daughter Tiffany Visits India’s Iconic Taj Mahal With Husband During Private Trip

India’s most iconic monument just welcomed another high-profile visitor. Tiffany Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, made a stop at the world-famous Taj Mahal on May 30 during her private trip to India, accompanied by her husband, Michael Boulos.
The couple reportedly arrived in Agra on Saturday and spent time exploring the historic marble mausoleum before continuing their travels to Rajasthan. Videos from the visit, shared by press, showed Tiffany embracing the Indian summer in a breezy floral dress, while Michael opted for a relaxed casual look as they admired one of the world’s most celebrated architectural wonders.
Inside Tiffany Trump’s India visit with husband
Tiffany travelled to Agra via a chartered aircraft. Given the family’s global profile, authorities made special security arrangements during the visit. However, officials have clarified that the trip is entirely personal, with no political meetings or official engagements on the schedule.
Before arriving in Agra, Tiffany also visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi. Sharing her experience on social media, she described the visit as an “Incredible visit to Akshardham Temple,” offering followers a glimpse into her cultural tour across India.
The visit has naturally sparked interest, not only because of Tiffany’s famous family name but also due to the Trump family’s longstanding connection with India. Over the years, members of the family have frequently expressed admiration for India’s culture, heritage, and historic landmarks.
Tiffany, the daughter of Donald Trump and actress Marla Maples, married Michael Boulos in 2022. Since then, the couple has often been spotted together at family celebrations, public appearances, and international events.
National News
Tejashwi Yadav To Lead Major RJD Organisational Overhaul After MLC Polls; Bihar Chief Mangani Lal Mandal Likely To Be Replaced

Patna: RJD national working president Tejashwi Yadav may effect a major organisational rejig after the MLC polls, scheduled next month.
In the party`s organsiational overhaul, RJD is also likely to have a new Bihar chief, replacing the incumbent Mangani Lal Mandal. Ahead of the organisational rejig, Tejashwi is scheduled to hold meetings with the party’s district presidents, senior leaders, and party workers.
Senior RJD leaders will hold discussions in these meetings to formulate strategy for strengthening the party at the booth level. The announcement of the new team is expected to follow immediately thereafter. It is widely believed that, in addition to the state president, leaders holding various other organisational positions will also be replaced.
Mandal was made state RJD president last year. Recently, Mandal created a flutter in party circles after he expressed his displeasure regarding the working methods of party leaders and workers.
He alleged that several important events were being organised without informing senior office-bearers, and that party protocols were not followed. He also warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against those found violating party norms.
Amid the speculation over Mandal’s potential departure, names of former ministers Kumar Sarvajeet and Alok Mehta are doing the rounds for the post of state party chief.
Sarvajeet is considered the frontrunner in this race. He is the RJD MLA representing the Bodh Gaya assembly constituency and is known for his close proximity with both party chief Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi.
The second major name in this race is Alok Mehta. He possesses extensive political experience at both the central and state levels in Bihar. He is a former MP and currently serves as the RJD MLA from the Ujiarpur constituency.
He is widely regarded as having a strong command over the party’s grassroots cadre. The third name in contention is that of RJD MP Sudhakar Singh. He is the son of the former state RJD chief, Jagdanand Singh.
The second major name in this race is Alok Mehta. He possesses extensive political experience at both the central and state levels in Bihar. He is a former MP and currently serves as the RJD MLA from the Ujiarpur constituency.
He is widely regarded as having a strong command over the party’s grassroots cadre. The third name in contention is that of RJD MP Sudhakar Singh. He is the son of the former state RJD chief, Jagdanand Singh.
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