The Evening Wrap: Nawab Malik claims Sameer Wankhede illegally tapping phones

Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday accused NCB official Sameer Wankhede of illegal phone tapping and announced that he will hand over a letter on the official’s ‘misdeeds’ to the agency head. “Sameer Wankhede through two persons in Mumbai and Thane is illegally intercepting the mobile phones of some people,” said Malik. Malik also claimed that Wankhede had sought the call detail record (CDR) of his family member from the police. Wankhede in his affidavit submitted to a Mumbai court on Monday claimed he was under a “lurking threat of arrest as it does not suit some vested interests for conducting an honest and impartial investigation”. The official had also claimed that he was being personally targeted by a well-known political figure (Malik), and the only reason he can fathom is that the NCB had arrested “this person’s son-in-law Sameer Khan”. Malik said he is forwarding a letter written by “someone in NCB about the various illegal activities of Wankhede” to the agency’s DG S.N. Pradhan. The NCP minister said the NCB should investigate the 26 allegations in the letter claiming an ‘extortion racket’ being run within the anti-drugs agency. “As a responsible citizen I will be forwarding this letter to DG Narcotics requesting him to include this letter in the investigation being conducted on Sameer Wankhede,” the minister tweeted. Malik on Monday claimed that Sameer Wankhede is a Muslim by birth and his real name is ‘Sameer Dawood Wankhede’. The minister had released what he claimed was the birth certificate of Sameer Wankhede and alleged that the latter had forged documents. However, the NCB official’s father later said his name is Dnyandev and not Dawood, as claimed by Malik. On Tuesday, speaking to reporters, Malik said, “I have all the authentic documents to prove that Sameer Wankhede was born into a Muslim family, but he forged his identity and sought a job under the Scheduled Caste category. As per the law, Dalits who are converted to Islam do not get the quota privilege, thus Sameer Wankhede has denied the job opportunity to a genuine person from the Schedule Caste.” A legal probe into the matter will be initiated soon, the minister said. On Sameer Wankhede’s father saying his name is not Dawood, Malik said it is true that the NCB official’s father Dnyandev Wankhede was born into a Dalit family in Washim district (earlier Akola) and he later joined state Excise department. “But he married a Muslim woman here in Mumbai by converting himself to Islam and accepted the name Dawood. He has two children. However, Dnyandev Wankhede had an afterthought and he used his father’s certificate to obtain all the documents in the name of Dnyandev Wankhede so that his children would benefit,” the minister claimed. Malik said if he has produced fake documents, Dnyandev Wankhede should show the birth certificate of Sameer Wankhede and prove his side. “I am challenging Dnyandev Wankhede to produce the caste certificate of his son,” he said. Malik further stated that after 26 January 1950, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had said although he was born as Hindu, he would not die as a Hindu. “The then Union government immediately issued a presidential order stating that reservation benefits in government jobs would be applicable to Dalits from Hindu religion only,” he said. “Subsequently, the Kabir and Sikh sects got exempted from the order. The last change was brought in by late PM V.P. Singh, who exempted Dalits converted to Buddhism. However, the Indian law does not offer similar quota benefits to the SC persons converted to Islam or Christianity,” the minister said. Thus, Dnyandev Wankhede, who “became Dawood by accepting Islam” cannot seek the quota benefits, Malik said. “It is the sole reason why I am calling his documents bogus,” he said. He alleged that Sameer Wankhede and some of his colleagues were involved into some “extortion racket”. “Their recent visit to Maldives was for the same reason. I believe the amount was as high as ₹1,000 crore,” the minister claimed. Meanwhile, Wankhede visited the NCB’s headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. His visit to Delhi comes in the backdrop of the NCB ordering a vigilance inquiry into the allegations made by a witness in the cruise drugs case of an extortion bid of ₹25 crore by some agency officials, including Wankhede, and others for letting off Aryan Khan. No recovery and no consumption from Aryan Khan, says advocate to HC While arguing for his bail, Aryan Khan’s lawyer told the Bombay High Court on Tuesday that there was no recovery, no consumption (of drugs) and no medical test (for drugs) from him. Former Attorney General of India, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared on behalf of Khan, son of actor Shah Rukh Khan, before a single bench of Justice Nitin Sambre. He stated, “Six grams of charas was recovered from Arbaaz Merchant’s shoes and Khan is not concerned with it. There is no conscious possession. There has been no recovery from him and no medical examination has been conducted to show any consumption. Since there is no recovery, I am wrongly arrested.” Referring to the Whatsapp chats relied upon by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) against Khan, Rohatgi contended the chats are of 2018 and have “nothing to do with this saga.” Opposing Khan’s bail, NCB filed its reply that said, “Khan is an influential person and is likely to tamper with evidence or flee justice if released on bail. During the investigation, some international linkages of Khan have been unearthed which prima facie indicate illicit drug procurement. He was in touch with persons abroad who were part of an international drug network. Material collected during investigation primarily revealed that Khan had played a role with respect to illicit procurement and distribution of contraband. Khan procured contraband from his friend Arbaaz Merchant. Khan and Merchant had been in close collaboration with each other, which is sufficient to attract offences under Section 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act which deals with conspiracy. The role of one accused cannot be dissected from another. The investigation reveals that all persons form part of a larger chain and their involvement in conspiracy to commit illegal acts cannot be ruled out. There was sufficient material in the form of whatsapp chats, pictures, etc to show that Khan was an active part of the illicit drug chain with other co-accused. In view of the above, the quantum of recovery (of drugs) from one individual becomes inconsequential and none of them can be considered in isolation for grant of bail,” the central agency stated. Meanwhile, an advocate approached the bench and complained about hearing Khan’s case on priority while there are many others who languish in jails. Senior advocate Amit Desai representing Merchant will argue on October 27. Lakhimpur Kheri: Of 5,000 people at crime scene, did you get only 23 eyewitnesses, Supreme Court asks U.P. The Supreme Court on Tuesday was surprised to find that the Uttar Pradesh Police could only find 23 eyewitnesses to the alleged incident of a Union Minister’s convoy mowing down farmers at a public place in Lakhimpur Kheri where 4,000 to 5,000 people had gathered for a rally to protest the agricultural laws on October 3. “There were hundreds at the farmers’ rally and only 23 people are witnesses?” Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, leading a three-judge Bench, asked the Uttar Pradesh Government. Senior advocate Harish Salve, for Uttar Pradesh, said the “first ring” of people close to the scene of the incident and those who saw the cars and the people inside these vehicles were among the 23. The Uttar Pradesh Government has filed a second status report on the investigation which said there were 23 eyewitnesses out of a total 68 witnesses. The statements of 30 of them have already been taken before the Magistrate. Salve said there were also videos on digital media about the incident. There are “overlapping videos”. “We will receive the exact frames of these videos, which would be certified and sent to us... All that process is going on. Many of the witnesses are formal... No need to take their statements under Section 164 Cr.PC [witness statement before a Magistrate],” Salve submitted. Justice Surya Kant, on the Bench, asked the State Government, “Is it not your case too there were 4,000 to 5,000 people in that place. They were locals... But even after the incident, they have hesitated to come forward... Is access to these people or their identification going to be a major problem?” “Out of 4,000 and 5,000 people at the place of incident, some would be fence-sitters. They would not be serious witnesses. You need to find people who can stand up and say what they saw...” Justice Kant told the State Government. Chief Justice Ramana, without spelling out the court’s “apprehension”, indicated that the influence wielded by the accused may spook the witnesses. Review of Covaxin shot underway, says WHO A World Health Organization (WHO) technical advisory group was reviewing data on Covaxin shot against COVID-19 on Tuesday with a decision on its emergency use listing likely soon, a spokesperson said. “If all is in place and all goes well and if the committee is satisfied, we would expect a recommendation within the next 24 hours or so,” Margaret Harris told journalists at a U.N. press briefing. Millions of Indians have taken the shot produced by Bharat Biotech but many have been unable to travel pending the WHO approval. Speculation over Amarinder’s next move, may launch party on October 27 Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh may launch his new political party in Chandigarh on Wednesday, according to speculation triggered by the announcement of a press conference. Captain Amarinder Singh had last week said he would soon launch his own party, and that he was hopeful of a seat arrangement with the BJP provided the ongoing farmers’ stir against farm laws was resolved in their interest. The development comes just months ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. Captain Amarinder Singh, who faced an unceremonious exit from the state government last month, had also said that he was looking at alliances with like-minded parties such as breakaway Akali groups. The two-time Chief Minister had added that he would not rest till he secures the future of “my people and my State”. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday, however, said if Amarinder Singh floated a new political outfit, he would be making a “big mistake”. Captain Amarinder Singh’s face in Punjab will be “scarred”, Randhawa said, and added that the Congress gave respect to Captain Amarinder Singh and he enjoyed several posts in the party. Randhawa has been attacking Captain Amarinder Singh over his friendship with Pakistani journalist Aroosa Alam. He even went to the extent of saying that a probe would be carried out to ascertain if Alam has links with Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, too attacked Captain Amarinder Singh over the issue of his new political party. Captain Amarinder Singh never came out of his farmhouse in the last four and a half years, and now, he suddenly talks about floating a party, she alleged. Rahul Dravid formally applies for head coach’s post Celebrated former captain Rahul Dravid is all but certain to be the Indian cricket team’s next head coach after he formally applied for the high-profile position on Tuesday. With Dravid, the current head of National Cricket Academy applying, the job for the Cricket Advisory Committee becomes easier as there aren’t any big names in the fray who can match the batting great’s stature. Also, it is reliably learnt that he is the first and only choice of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah. “Yes, Rahul has formally applied today as it’s the last day of the deadline. His team at the NCA, bowling coach Paras (Mhambrey) and fielding coach Abhay (Sharma) have already applied. His application was just a formality,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on Tuesday. Dravid had recently met the BCCI brass in Dubai on the sidelines of the IPL final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings where Ganguly and Shah spoke to him about taking up the position once Ravi Shastri steps down at the end of India’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup. Under Dravid, a new era in Indian cricket will start with the home series against New Zealand where he will take charge with a new T20 captain, which in all likelihood, will be Rohit Sharma. Former India batting great VVS Laxman could again be back in the fray to head the National Cricket Academy in case the post falls vacant in the coming days. It is learnt from sources that Laxman might not continue as the mentor of IPL side Sunrisers Hyderbad and in case he is selected, he would also have to leave his media commitments, including commentary and writing columns. The national coach and the NCA head are expected to work in close coordination, keeping the interests of Indian cricket in mind. It is understood that Dravid and Laxman, who have had a close bond since the time they played for South Zone and subsequently for India for close to a decase-and-a-half, would be the perfect choice. The other aspect that needs to be chalked out is the fact that Laxman is a resident of Hyderabad, where he has a young family with children just in their teens and also old parents. Laxman, it is learnt, was reluctant to take up the NCA Director of Cricket offer but BCCI would once again be approaching him. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 3,42,03,245 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 4,55,579. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. [logo] The Evening Wrap 26 OCTOBER 2021 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Nawab Malik claims Sameer Wankhede illegally tapping phones Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday [accused NCB official Sameer Wankhede of illegal phone tapping]( and announced that he will hand over a letter on the official’s ‘misdeeds’ to the agency head. “Sameer Wankhede through two persons in Mumbai and Thane is illegally intercepting the mobile phones of some people,” said Malik. Malik also claimed that Wankhede had sought the call detail record (CDR) of his family member from the police. Wankhede in his affidavit submitted to a Mumbai court on Monday claimed he was under a “lurking threat of arrest as it does not suit some vested interests for conducting an honest and impartial investigation”. The official had also claimed that he was being personally targeted by a well-known political figure (Malik), and the only reason he can fathom is that the NCB had arrested “this person’s son-in-law Sameer Khan”. Malik said he is forwarding a letter written by “someone in NCB about the various illegal activities of Wankhede” to the agency’s DG S.N. Pradhan. [Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik. Photo: Twitter/@NCPspeaks]  The NCP minister said the NCB should investigate the 26 allegations in the letter claiming an ‘extortion racket’ being run within the anti-drugs agency. “As a responsible citizen I will be forwarding this letter to DG Narcotics requesting him to include this letter in the investigation being conducted on Sameer Wankhede,” the minister tweeted. Malik on Monday claimed that Sameer Wankhede is a Muslim by birth and his real name is ‘Sameer Dawood Wankhede’. The minister had released what he claimed was the birth certificate of Sameer Wankhede and alleged that the latter had forged documents. However, the NCB official’s father later said his name is Dnyandev and not Dawood, as claimed by Malik. On Tuesday, speaking to reporters, Malik said, “I have all the authentic documents to prove that Sameer Wankhede was born into a Muslim family, but he forged his identity and sought a job under the Scheduled Caste category. As per the law, Dalits who are converted to Islam do not get the quota privilege, thus Sameer Wankhede has denied the job opportunity to a genuine person from the Schedule Caste.” A legal probe into the matter will be initiated soon, the minister said. On Sameer Wankhede’s father saying his name is not Dawood, Malik said it is true that the NCB official’s father Dnyandev Wankhede was born into a Dalit family in Washim district (earlier Akola) and he later joined state Excise department. “But he married a Muslim woman here in Mumbai by converting himself to Islam and accepted the name Dawood. He has two children. However, Dnyandev Wankhede had an afterthought and he used his father’s certificate to obtain all the documents in the name of Dnyandev Wankhede so that his children would benefit,” the minister claimed. Malik said if he has produced fake documents, Dnyandev Wankhede should show the birth certificate of Sameer Wankhede and prove his side. “I am challenging Dnyandev Wankhede to produce the caste certificate of his son,” he said. Malik further stated that after 26 January 1950, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had said although he was born as Hindu, he would not die as a Hindu. “The then Union government immediately issued a presidential order stating that reservation benefits in government jobs would be applicable to Dalits from Hindu religion only,” he said. “Subsequently, the Kabir and Sikh sects got exempted from the order. The last change was brought in by late PM V.P. Singh, who exempted Dalits converted to Buddhism. However, the Indian law does not offer similar quota benefits to the SC persons converted to Islam or Christianity,” the minister said. Thus, Dnyandev Wankhede, who “became Dawood by accepting Islam” cannot seek the quota benefits, Malik said. “It is the sole reason why I am calling his documents bogus,” he said. He alleged that Sameer Wankhede and some of his colleagues were involved into some “extortion racket”. “Their recent visit to Maldives was for the same reason. I believe the amount was as high as ₹1,000 crore,” the minister claimed. Meanwhile, Wankhede visited the NCB’s headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. His visit to Delhi comes in the backdrop of the NCB ordering a vigilance inquiry into the allegations made by a witness in the cruise drugs case of an extortion bid of ₹25 crore by some agency officials, including Wankhede, and others for letting off Aryan Khan. [underlineimg] No recovery and no consumption from Aryan Khan, says advocate to HC While arguing for his bail, [Aryan Khan’s lawyer told the Bombay High Court]( on Tuesday that there was no recovery, no consumption (of drugs) and no medical test (for drugs) from him. Former Attorney General of India, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared on behalf of Khan, son of actor Shah Rukh Khan, before a single bench of Justice Nitin Sambre. He stated, “Six grams of charas was recovered from Arbaaz Merchant’s shoes and Khan is not concerned with it. There is no conscious possession. There has been no recovery from him and no medical examination has been conducted to show any consumption. Since there is no recovery, I am wrongly arrested.” [Former Attorney General of India (AGI) Mukul Rohatgi representing Aryan Khan in the drugs-on-cruise case, arrives at Bombay High Court in Mumbai on October 26, 2021.]  Referring to the Whatsapp chats relied upon by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) against Khan, Rohatgi contended the chats are of 2018 and have “nothing to do with this saga.” Opposing Khan’s bail, NCB filed its reply that said, “Khan is an influential person and is likely to tamper with evidence or flee justice if released on bail. During the investigation, some international linkages of Khan have been unearthed which prima facie indicate illicit drug procurement. He was in touch with persons abroad who were part of an international drug network. Material collected during investigation primarily revealed that Khan had played a role with respect to illicit procurement and distribution of contraband. Khan procured contraband from his friend Arbaaz Merchant. Khan and Merchant had been in close collaboration with each other, which is sufficient to attract offences under Section 29 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act which deals with conspiracy. The role of one accused cannot be dissected from another. The investigation reveals that all persons form part of a larger chain and their involvement in conspiracy to commit illegal acts cannot be ruled out. There was sufficient material in the form of whatsapp chats, pictures, etc to show that Khan was an active part of the illicit drug chain with other co-accused. In view of the above, the quantum of recovery (of drugs) from one individual becomes inconsequential and none of them can be considered in isolation for grant of bail,” the central agency stated. Meanwhile, an advocate approached the bench and complained about hearing Khan’s case on priority while there are many others who languish in jails. Senior advocate Amit Desai representing Merchant will argue on October 27. [underlineimg] Lakhimpur Kheri: Of 5,000 people at crime scene, did you get only 23 eyewitnesses, Supreme Court asks U.P. The Supreme Court on Tuesday was [surprised to find that the Uttar Pradesh Police could only find 23 eyewitnesses]( to the alleged incident of a Union Minister’s convoy mowing down farmers at a public place in Lakhimpur Kheri where 4,000 to 5,000 people had gathered for a rally to protest the agricultural laws on October 3. “There were hundreds at the farmers’ rally and only 23 people are witnesses?” Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, leading a three-judge Bench, asked the Uttar Pradesh Government. Senior advocate Harish Salve, for Uttar Pradesh, said the “first ring” of people close to the scene of the incident and those who saw the cars and the people inside these vehicles were among the 23. The Uttar Pradesh Government has filed a second status report on the investigation which said there were 23 eyewitnesses out of a total 68 witnesses. The statements of 30 of them have already been taken before the Magistrate. Salve said there were also videos on digital media about the incident. There are “overlapping videos”. “We will receive the exact frames of these videos, which would be certified and sent to us... All that process is going on. Many of the witnesses are formal... No need to take their statements under Section 164 Cr.PC [witness statement before a Magistrate],” Salve submitted. Justice Surya Kant, on the Bench, asked the State Government, “Is it not your case too there were 4,000 to 5,000 people in that place. They were locals... But even after the incident, they have hesitated to come forward... Is access to these people or their identification going to be a major problem?” “Out of 4,000 and 5,000 people at the place of incident, some would be fence-sitters. They would not be serious witnesses. You need to find people who can stand up and say what they saw...” Justice Kant told the State Government. Chief Justice Ramana, without spelling out the court’s “apprehension”, indicated that the influence wielded by the accused may spook the witnesses. [underlineimg] Review of Covaxin shot underway, says WHO A World Health Organization (WHO) technical advisory group was [reviewing data on Covaxin shot against COVID-19]( on Tuesday with a decision on its emergency use listing likely soon, a spokesperson said. “If all is in place and all goes well and if the committee is satisfied, we would expect a recommendation within the next 24 hours or so,” Margaret Harris told journalists at a U.N. press briefing. Millions of Indians have taken the shot produced by Bharat Biotech but many have been unable to travel pending the WHO approval. [underlineimg] Speculation over Amarinder’s next move, may launch party on October 27 Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh [may launch his new political party in Chandigarh on Wednesday]( according to speculation triggered by the announcement of a press conference. Captain Amarinder Singh had last week said he would soon launch his own party, and that he was hopeful of a seat arrangement with the BJP provided the ongoing farmers’ stir against farm laws was resolved in their interest. The development comes just months ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. Captain Amarinder Singh, who faced an unceremonious exit from the state government last month, had also said that he was looking at alliances with like-minded parties such as breakaway Akali groups. The two-time Chief Minister had added that he would not rest till he secures the future of “my people and my State”. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday, however, said if Amarinder Singh floated a new political outfit, he would be making a “big mistake”. Captain Amarinder Singh’s face in Punjab will be “scarred”, Randhawa said, and added that the Congress gave respect to Captain Amarinder Singh and he enjoyed several posts in the party. Randhawa has been attacking Captain Amarinder Singh over his friendship with Pakistani journalist Aroosa Alam. He even went to the extent of saying that a probe would be carried out to ascertain if Alam has links with Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, too attacked Captain Amarinder Singh over the issue of his new political party. Captain Amarinder Singh never came out of his farmhouse in the last four and a half years, and now, he suddenly talks about floating a party, she alleged. [underlineimg] Rahul Dravid formally applies for head coach’s post Celebrated former captain [Rahul Dravid is all but certain to be the Indian cricket team’s next head coach]( after he formally applied for the high-profile position on Tuesday. With Dravid, the current head of National Cricket Academy applying, the job for the Cricket Advisory Committee becomes easier as there aren’t any big names in the fray who can match the batting great’s stature. Also, it is reliably learnt that he is the first and only choice of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah. “Yes, Rahul has formally applied today as it’s the last day of the deadline. His team at the NCA, bowling coach Paras (Mhambrey) and fielding coach Abhay (Sharma) have already applied. His application was just a formality,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on Tuesday. Dravid had recently met the BCCI brass in Dubai on the sidelines of the IPL final between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings where Ganguly and Shah spoke to him about taking up the position once Ravi Shastri steps down at the end of India’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup. Under Dravid, a new era in Indian cricket will start with the home series against New Zealand where he will take charge with a new T20 captain, which in all likelihood, will be Rohit Sharma. Former India batting great VVS Laxman could again be back in the fray to head the National Cricket Academy in case the post falls vacant in the coming days. It is learnt from sources that Laxman might not continue as the mentor of IPL side Sunrisers Hyderbad and in case he is selected, he would also have to leave his media commitments, including commentary and writing columns. The national coach and the NCA head are expected to work in close coordination, keeping the interests of Indian cricket in mind. It is understood that Dravid and Laxman, who have had a close bond since the time they played for South Zone and subsequently for India for close to a decase-and-a-half, would be the perfect choice. The other aspect that needs to be chalked out is the fact that Laxman is a resident of Hyderabad, where he has a young family with children just in their teens and also old parents. Laxman, it is learnt, was reluctant to take up the NCA Director of Cricket offer but BCCI would once again be approaching him. [underlineimg] Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 3,42,03,245 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 4,55,579. 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