CAT Stays Departmental Enquiry Against Sameer Wankhede For Alleged Omissions In 2021 Aryan Khan Drugs Case

In a temporary respite for former Zonal Director of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Sameer Wankhede, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Wednesday (August 27) granted an interim stay on the departmental enquiry initiated against him for his alleged omissions and commissions in investigating the 2021 Aryan Khan Drugs Case.The CAT Principal Bench (New Delhi) comprising of Chairman Justice Ranjit More and Administrative Member Rajinder Kashyap noted that the issue regarding Wankhede's investigations in the said case is already sub-judice in Bombay High Court, which has also stayed the proceedings. The bench further noted that the allegations as levelled against Wankhede, are based on "evidence" already furnished before the High Court. "It is not in dispute that the impugned charge memorandum is premised upon very material and evidence which the applicant himself had placed before the Bombay High Court in which an interim stay has already been granted in his favour. Thus, the matter is sub judice before the Bombay High Court," the bench noted in the order. The bench therefore, issued notice to the Revenue Department with a directive seeking its response to Wankhede's plea challenging the departmental action initiated against him. "By way of interim measure, we direct the respondents not to proceed further with the departmental enquiry initiated against the applicant, pursuant to the impugned charge memorandum, till the next date of hearing," the bench said while posting the matter for further hearing on October 14, 2025. As per the order, two charges have been framed against Wankhede by the Revenue.The charges pertain to wilfully and deliberately seeking "sensitive and confidential" information related to the Aryan Khan Drugs Case from NCB's Departmental Legal Advisor (DLA) despite having been formally detached from the NCB from January 2, 2021. "It is alleged that Wankhede failed to maintain absolute integrity at all times; behaved in a way which is unbecoming of a Government servant; failed to maintain high ethical standards and honesty; failed to refrain from doing anything which is or may be contrary to any law, rules, regulations and established practices; failed to perform and discharge his duties with the highest degree of professionalism and dedication to the best of his abilities and has thereby contravened Rules 3(1)(i), 3(1)(iii), 3(1)(vi), 3(1)(xviii) and 3(1)(xxi) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964," the bench noted. The second charge framed pertains to the alleged "prior assurance" obtained from the DLA to steer the investigation of NCB in the drugs case, towards a predetermined outcome for ulterior motive."This prior assurance in any criminal investigation raises serious doubts about its fairness and integrity. Wankhede, being the supervisory officer, was expected to conduct investigation in a fair and transparent manner to unearth the truth. By obtaining assurance from DLA towards a premeditated outcome, he appears to have failed to maintain absolute integrity," the bench recorded in the order.Case title: SAMEER DNYANDEV WANKHEDE v/s REVENUEO.A./3258/2025 (DELHI)Click Here To Read/Download Order

CAT Stays Departmental Enquiry Against Sameer Wankhede For Alleged Omissions In 2021 Aryan Khan Drugs Case

Narsi Benwal

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