new Delhi: Prabhakar Cell, an independent witness in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the Aryan Khan drugs-on-cruise case, died of a heart attack on Saturday.
Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said the death appeared suspicious and directed Director General of Police Rajneesh Seth to initiate investigation, news agency PTI reported.
“37-year-old Prabhakar Cell died of a heart attack on Friday evening at his home in Mahul (in Mumbai),” a police officer was quoted as saying by PTI in his report.
According to the official, he was taken to the civil-run Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, where he was declared brought dead.
“The sudden death of SAIL looks suspicious and I have ordered the DGP to investigate the matter,” Walse-Patil said.
The police started investigation by registering an accidental death report at the suburban RCF police station.
According to a senior police officer, SAIL was staying in a leased property in Mahul area for the past several days, who said it was not clear why he had gone there. SAIL’s counsel Tushar Khandare confirmed that he had suffered a heart attack and said that SAIL’s family members do not suspect foul play.
SAIL, who claims to be the bodyguard of NCB witness KP Gosavi, said in his affidavit that they heard Gosavi making arrangements for payment of Rs 25 crore to Aryan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in a case of alleged narcotics seizure.
Later, the NCB informed a court that the cell had become hostile.
Aryan Khan was arrested during the NCB operation on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast on October 3, 2021. He and 19 others were charged with possession, use, sale/purchase, conspiracy and abetment of suspicious drugs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Aryan and 17 others were granted bail, while only two others are in judicial custody.
(with PTI inputs)