Centre Challenges CAT Order Quashing Charge Memo Against Sameer Wankhede in Delhi HC

• The Union Government has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the Central Administrative Tribunal's (CAT) order that quashed a charge memorandum against IRS officer Sameer Danyadev Wankhede.
• Wankhede, formerly with the Narcotics Control Bureau, had disciplinary charges set aside by CAT, which found procedural impropriety and abuse of process in the charge memorandum.
• CAT noted that the material relied upon for charges was sub judice in the Bombay High Court concerning the Cordelia Cruise case, making departmental action improper.
• The Centre argues that CAT exceeded its jurisdiction by intervening at the preliminary stage of disciplinary proceedings and that the charge memorandum was based on a call transcript Wankhede himself submitted to the Bombay High Court.
• The Delhi High Court has deferred the hearing to February 2, allowing Wankhede's counsel time to respond to the Centre's petition.

Why It Matters: The Centre seeks to revive disciplinary proceedings against Sameer Wankhede, challenging CAT's quashing order.