In an important decision, the Delhi High Court on Friday set aside an order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) that had cancelled disciplinary proceedings against IRS officer Sameer Wankhede in connection with the 2021 Cordelia cruise drug bust. The ruling is a relief for the Central Government.

HC Sets Aside CAT Order:

A division bench of Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Amit Mahajan allowed the government’s appeal against the CAT’s January 19 order. While giving its judgment, the Court said, “The petition is allowed.”

Earlier, the CAT had quashed the charge memorandum dated August 18, 2025, issued to Wankhede. The Tribunal had held that the departmental proceedings had  serious procedural lapses, legal malice, and misuse of authority.  It had also praised Wankhede’s “exceptional career profile” and the many service awards he had received. 

The CAT finally held that the decision to start the  proceedings showed  a “predetermined mindset, non-application of mind and an overzealous alacrity, suggesting that the respondents were bent upon penalising the applicant irrespective of the merits of the case.”

Wankhede’s Argument:

Wankhede had  argued that the departmental  proceedings were based on the same allegations that were part of a separate CBI criminal investigation. This investigation had started from a Special Enquiry Team (SET) report. He pointed out that courts had already set aside the SET’s inquiry and its  findings because Gyaneshwar Singh was involved in a supervisory role. 

Call Transcript Before Bombay HC:

He  had also stated  that the charge sheet relied on a call transcript between him and a former Deputy Legal Advisor (DLA). This transcript had been submitted by Wankhede himself as evidence before the Bombay High Court.

Case Detail: Union of India v. Sameer Wankhede