HC revives Disciplinary Probe against Sameer Wankhede in Cordelia Case

The Delhi High Court has cleared the way for disciplinary proceedings against IRS officer Sameer Wankhede to continue, overturning a Central Administrative Tribunal order that had quashed the charge memorandum issued against him. The ruling reopens official scrutiny into his conduct linked to the 2021 Cordelia cruise drugs investigation.

Wankhede, a 2008-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, came under the spotlight during the high-profile Cordelia cruise drug bust while serving with the Narcotics Control Bureau in Mumbai. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs initiated departmental action against him in August 2025, alleging that after being relieved from the NCB, he sought confidential information related to the probe and attempted to influence aspects of the investigation.

He challenged the move before the Central Administrative Tribunal, which in January set aside the charge memorandum. The Union government then approached the High Court, arguing that the tribunal erred in stalling a legitimate disciplinary process at a premature stage.

A Division Bench of Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Amit Mahajan agreed with the Centre, allowing its petition and restoring the disciplinary proceedings. Pronouncing the order, the Bench stated, “This petition is allowed,” thereby nullifying the tribunal’s decision to quash the charges.

With the High Court’s intervention, the departmental inquiry against Wankhede will now proceed in accordance with law.