Cordelia cruise case: Delhi HC gives nod to disciplinary action against Sameer Wankhede
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Friday gave its nod to the continuation of disciplinary proceedings against IRS officer Sameer Wankhede in connection with the 2021 Cordelia cruise drugs case.
A bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Amit Mahajan allowed the Centre's plea against an order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) which quashed the disciplinary proceedings against Wankhede in the matter.
"This petition is allowed," said the bench while pronouncing the verdict.
A detailed copy of the verdict is awaited.
The central government challenged the CAT order passed on January 19, quashing the 'Charge Memorandum' issued to Wankhede on August 18, 2025, by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
Wankhede, a 2008 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, made headlines for allegedly demanding Rs 25 crore from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's family by threatening to implicate his son Aryan Khan in the Cordelia cruise drug bust case during his tenure in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai in 2021.
Before the CAT, Wankhede filed an original application challenging the disciplinary inquiry against him by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs for allegedly seeking confidential information related to the probe from NCB's legal department after he was relieved from the agency.
It was also alleged that he sought an "assurance" from the NCB's legal officer to "steer the investigation" in the probe.
On January 12, the high court refused to interfere with an order of the CAT staying the disciplinary proceedings against Wankhede.
It had, however, asked the CAT to make "sincere efforts" to decide the main matter on January 14 or within the next 10 days.
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Deputy Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa conducts surprise inspections in Udupi, pulls up officials
Udupi: Deputy Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa carried out surprise inspections at multiple locations in Udupi early Friday morning and expressed dissatisfaction over shortcomings in maintenance and sanitation.
The inspection began at the wastewater treatment plant in Nittur, where Justice Veerappa observed what he described as serious lapses in its functioning. He questioned the concerned officials, including the Municipal Commissioner, over the alleged discharge of untreated wastewater into the sea.
“You, who receive Rs 3 lakh every month for the maintenance of the unit, are discharging the wastewater directly into the sea without treating it,” he said during the inspection. Officials from the Environment Department were also pulled up in connection with the matter.
The Deputy Lokayukta later visited Malpe Port to review sanitation conditions. He noted the presence of accumulated waste, sewage flow and foul smell in and around the port area, and directed the authorities to take immediate corrective steps to improve hygiene.
Justice Veerappa also inspected the KSRTC bus stand at Bannanje, including the cleanliness of the canteen premises. During the visit, women staff working at the canteen brought to his notice the absence of facilities such as ESI benefits. He directed the contractor to address the issue without delay and indicated that further action would be taken if compliance was not ensured.
