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Two former NCB officers booked for aiding accused’s discharge
Two former Narcotics Control Bureau officers, including a former intelligence officer and a former special public prosecutor, have been booked by the CBI for alleged misconduct linked to the discharge of three individuals in a money-laundering case tied to a 200 kg cocaine seizure at Nhava Sheva port in 2006. The FIR alleges that a letter and an incorrect legal opinion enabled the discharge, with subsequent PMLA proceedings investigated by the ED. The case was registered after a 2025 reference from the NCB director-general, Anurag Garg.
Why It Matters
This case highlights ongoing scrutiny of potential misconduct within law enforcement and can affect the integrity of high-profile drug and money-laundering cases and their judicial outcomes.
Timeline
7 Events
April 10, 2026: CBI registers case against former NCB officers
April 10, 2026
The CBI registered the case on April 10 following a preliminary enquiry, based on the 2025 reference from the NCB DG, into suspected misconduct by the former NCB officers connected to the discharge in the 2006 cocaine case.
2025: NCB DG Garg reference prompts CBI enquiry
2025
A reference from NCB director-general Anurag Garg in 2025 prompted the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry into misconduct allegations.
June 14, 2023: Discharge of accused in PMLA proceedings
June 14, 2023
The three accused—Bangur, Nagoja and Thorve—were discharged by a PMLA court on June 14, 2023, in the money laundering proceedings arising from the cocaine seizure case.
May 12, 2022: Bangur seeks update on NCB case
May 12, 2022
Bangur, in connivance with K Babu, requested the NCB on May 12, 2022 for an update on the NCB case; the FIR states Babu was not the case’s investigating officer but sought Sarpande’s legal opinion.
September 2019: Sarpande provides legal opinion
September 2019
In September 2019, A Sarpande wrote a legal opinion recommending against filing appeals against Bangur and Thorve’s discharge, stating certain applications were pending before the High Court, which the FIR states was factually incorrect.
Discharge of three individuals by a Special NDPS Court
2015
The three individuals—U Bangur, O Nagoja and V Thorve—were discharged by a Special NDPS Court between 2015 and 2019 on the basis of a letter written by K Babu and a factually incorrect legal opinion by A Sarpande.
Cocaine seizure at Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai
2006
A seizure of 200 kilograms of cocaine at the Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai was reported in 2006, forming the context for later money-laundering and misconduct investigations.