The Supreme Court has held that the Inquiry Officer as well as the Presenting Officer on 07.03.2026 is without affording sufficient opportunity to the IRS Officer Sameer Dnyandev to file reply to the chargesheet.
The matter arose in a Special Leave Petition filed by IRS Officer Sameer Dnyandev Wankhede challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision. The petition was heard by a Bench comprising Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradheon March 25, 2026.
While refusing to set aside the High Court’s ruling, the Supreme Court took note of a crucial procedural lapse in the disciplinary proceedings. The Bench observed that the appointment of the Inquiry Officer and Presenting Officer on March 7, 2026, had been made without giving the petitioner adequate opportunity to respond to the chargesheet.
Emphasizing the importance of natural justice, the Court held that such appointments should not precede a fair chance for the charged officer to present his defense.
In its order, the Court permitted the petitioner to file a reply to the chargesheet within two weeks. It further directed that the competent authority must consider this reply before deciding whether to appoint an Inquiry Officer and Presenting Officer.
The Court clarified that this decision must also be taken within a period of two weeks thereafter, ensuring that the process proceeds in a time-bound yet fair manner.
The Bench made it clear that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations against the petitioner. The order was limited strictly to ensuring compliance with due process requirements in the conduct of departmental proceedings.
The Supreme Court disposed of the Special Leave Petition along with all pending applications.
Case Details
Case Title: SAMEER DNYANDEV WANKHEDE Versus UNION OF INDIA & ANR.
Citation: JURISHOUR-501-SC-2026
Case No.: Special Leave to Appeal (C) No(s). 10451/2026
Date: 25-03-2026
Counsel For Petitioner: P. S. Patwalia, Sr. Adv.
Counsel For Respondent: Anil Kaushik, A.S.G.
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