Delhi HC Fines Centre ₹20,000 for Withholding Facts in Sameer Wankhede Promotion Case
The Delhi High Court on Friday imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on the central government for concealing key information in its review petition related to the promotion of IRS officer and former NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede. The Centre had sought a review of the court’s 28 August order directing it to act on the UPSC’s recommendation and grant Wankhede the rank of Additional Commissioner effective from 1 January 2021, if found eligible.
A bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Madhu Jain dismissed the review plea, stating that the government failed to disclose all relevant facts, including a prior court order restraining departmental proceedings against Wankhede. The judges criticized the Centre for suppressing material facts and emphasized that the government, being a state authority, is expected to maintain full transparency before the court.
The government had argued that Wankhede’s promotion was placed under the “sealed cover” procedure due to pending disciplinary cases against him. However, the court noted that no valid grounds existed for such a move when the Central Administrative Tribunal issued its order in December 2024. Advocate T Singhdev, appearing for Wankhede, had accused the Centre of attempting to harass the officer through repeated litigation. The fine is to be deposited in the Delhi High Court Advocate Welfare Fund.
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