The Delhi Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has granted the interim stay in the departmental inquiry against IRS Sameer Wankhede in the Aryan Khan drug case.  IRS Sameer Wankhede is currently serving as Addl. Commissioner, DGTS.

The tribunal was hearing Wankhede’s challenge to a charge memorandum dated August 18, 2025, which accused him of misconduct on two counts:

1. Seeking Confidential Information Post Transfer:
   Wankhede allegedly sought sensitive case details from a Departmental Legal Advisor (DLA) of the NCB on June 2, 2022, despite being officially detached from the agency in January 2022. The charge memorandum claimed this act violated multiple provisions of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
2. Influencing Investigation Outcome:
   He was further accused of securing assurances from the DLA to steer the investigation in NCB Case No. 94/2021towards a “predetermined outcome,” raising questions about the fairness and integrity of the probe.

The charges were largely premised on transcripts of telephonic conversations—ironically filed by Wankhede himself before the Bombay High Court in an earlier criminal writ petition.

During the hearing, Wankhede’s counsel, Mr. Ajesh Luthra, argued that since the matter is already pending before the Bombay High Court, the departmental enquiry amounts to parallel proceedings on the same material. The tribunal noted that the High Court has already granted interim protection in the related criminal matter.

Accepting the submission, the bench comprising Justice Ranjit More (Chairman) and Rajinder Kashyap (Member A)directed the Revenue Department not to proceed further with the departmental enquiry until the next hearing date, fixed for October 14, 2025.

This interim relief comes as Wankhede faces multiple inquiries and controversies stemming from his tenure at the NCB, particularly in high-profile narcotics cases.

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