The Delhi High Court imposed a ₹20,000 penalty on the Central Government after it attempted to conceal crucial facts in a review petition regarding the promotion of IRS officer Sameer Wankhede.
The bench, comprising Justices Naveen Chawla and Madhu Jain, dismissed the petition while upholding prior orders by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
The court reprimanded the government, stating that it expects full disclosure of all facts before filing any petition.
The court noted that the CAT had already passed the order recommending Wankhede’s promotion to Additional Commissioner before the Centre filed the review petition.
During proceedings, the Centre claimed that the CBI and ED were investigating Wankhede and that a complaint alleged he had submitted forged documents to secure employment.
However, the court clarified that pending investigations cannot prevent a lawful promotion, especially when no departmental action or charge sheet exists against the officer.
The judges highlighted that all procedures must be based on facts and transparency, reinforcing that administrative decisions cannot be arbitrarily blocked.
Background: Wankhede’s Career
Sameer Wankhede, a 2008-batch IRS officer, was serving with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai in 2021.
He came into the public eye when allegations surfaced in the cruise drug case involving Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, with Wankhede accused of threatening the family for a ₹25 crore bribe.
Despite the controversy, the court recognised his entitlement to promotion under the law.
The Delhi High Court confirmed that the CAT’s order recommending Wankhede’s promotion stands.
It directed the Central Government to comply with the directive within four weeks.
The bench emphasised that authorities must follow due process in promotion decisions and cannot let ongoing investigations influence them.
The court expects its ruling to set a precedent for transparency and procedural fairness in administrative promotions, protecting officers’ lawful rights even during investigations.
By imposing a fine and rejecting the review petition, the Delhi High Court sent a strong message to government departments about honest disclosure and procedural compliance.
The judgment reaffirms that authorities must conduct administrative and legal processes according to the law, respecting officers’ entitlements while protecting public interest.
This ruling provides clarity on the balance between investigations and career progression, underscoring that pending probes cannot automatically delay promotions for officers who have met all eligibility criteria.
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