Indian Revenue Service officer Sameer Wankhede has been taken off duty from the Narcotics Control Bureau by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, days after a witness in the Aryan Khan case, headed by him, was accused of extortion and state minister Nawab Malik alleged that the IRS officer had falsified his caste certificate. Wankhede has been directed to report to the director general, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in New Delhi.

The development comes after Wankhede’s tenure as NCB’s zonal director ended on December 31, 2021 as well as allegations levelled by Malik that the officer was lobbying with the Centre for an extension. “Sameer Dnyandev Wankhede. IRS (C&CE:2008). Joint Director. DRI Mumbai, attached with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and posted as Zonal Director, NCB, Mumbai Zone vide NCB is now hereby deattached from NCB, with immediate effect. He is  Directed to report to The Director General. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, New Delhi,” reads the ministry’s order of January 3.