The Delhi High Court, in a sharp rebuke to the Centre, on Friday imposed a penalty of Rs. 20,000 on the Central Government for concealing crucial facts in its review plea related to IRS officer Sameer Wankhede’s promotion. A division bench headed by Justice Navin Chawla and Justice Madhu Jain not only dismissed the government’s request for review but also came down strongly on its conduct. 

The Bench remarked that it expects that the Union Government will disclose all the facts truthfully before filing of the plea, making it clear that transparency is expected from the highest authorities.

During the hearing, the judges observed that the Centre had failed to inform the Court that the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) had, in August, already stayed departmental proceedings against Wankhede. Noting this lapse, the Bench underlined that the Tribunal’s order had been passed well before the government moved the review petition, thereby leaving little merit in the fresh plea. 

Facts:

The case in question arose from the Centre’s challenge to the Court’s earlier ruling dated August 28, which dismissed its opposition to granting Wankhede a promotion—subject to his suitability being evaluated by the UPSC.

Previously, the High Court had supported the Tribunal’s direction to the government, instructing it to act on the promotion within four weeks. Vide the impugned order, the CAT had directed the government to open the sealed cover pertaining to Wankhede’s promotion and said that if his name is recommended by UPSC, he shall be granted promotion to the post of Additional Commissioner w.e.f. January 01, 2021.

In its defence, the Central Government maintained that the Tribunal had overlooked ongoing investigations, pointing to cases by the CBI and ED and alleging that Wankhede had used a forged caste certificate to secure his employment.

Court’s Observations:

Rejecting these contentions, the Court highlighted that no departmental proceedings were active against him and no charge-sheet had been issued in any inquiry. It also observed that Wankhede was neither under suspension nor facing any formal criminal prosecution.

Sameer Wankhede was the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai until 2021. In this role, he gained significant public attention for his involvement in high-profile cases, including the drug case involving actor Shahrukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan. 

Case Details:UNION OF INDIA AND ORS v. SAMEER DNYANDEV WANKHEDE