Plea in Bombay High Court to dismiss Sameer Wankhede from IRS for allegedly forging caste certificate

A petition has been filed before the Bombay High Court challenging the appointment of Zonal Director of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Sameer Wankhede via Schedule Caste (SC) quota in Indian Revenue Services (IRS) [Ashok Mahadev Kamble v. Union of India]..The petitioner, a social activist Ashok Mahadev Kamble, stated that Wankhede had entered civil service by hiding the fact that he was a Muslim and by misrepresenting his caste/ religion. The petitioner submitted that Wankhede had not disclosed his real caste and religion while being inducted into the IRS in the SC category..In this regard, Kamble contended that when Wankhede’s father Dawood @ Dhyandev Wankhede had married Zaheeda Bano after converting to Islam and Wankhede could, therefore, no longer avail the benefits of SC category.Kamble relied upon various documents to substantiate his claim that the Wankhede had been a Muslim, born to Dawood Kachru Wankhede and Zaheda Bano..He stated that in the year 1993, there was a declaration made changing Dhyandev Wankhede’s name but there was no change in the religion of Wankhede on the basis of the said declaration.Pursuant to the declaration, the sub-registrar corrected Dawood Wankhede’s name to Dhyandev Wankhede in the birth certificate and the same was done so that Sameer Wankhede to get college admissions via SC student quota..The plea further referred to the fact that Wankhede had married one Dr. Shabana Qureshi by performing the Nikah ceremony. If a person is not Muslim, he cannot marry with a Muslim girl, it was pointed out..Wankhede is thus liable to be dismissed from the civil service, the petitioner submitted.The plea also highlighted that Kamble had lodged a written complaint with caste scrutiny committee to take legal action against Wankhede..Dissatisfied at the stand of the Union Public Service Commission in not reviewing the appointment of Wankhede after non-disclosure of his religion, the present petition was filed..The prayers sought are:calling for relevant records and proceedings from office of the respondents;to direct Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee to ascertain caste claim of Wankhede;to revoke, cancel appointment of Wankhede by dismissing him from civil service after verifying caste and religion with further direction to take criminal action against Wankhede for misleading and providing false information.