The challenges have made my resolve stronger
Manish Pachouly
MUMBAI: Sameer Wankhede needs no introduction. The Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer has made a reputation for himself with his honesty, no-nonsense attitude, and fearless nature.
From gold smugglers to narcotics traffickers, the criminals feared just by his name. While he was posted at the Mumbai airport a few years back, the gold smugglers used to keep calendars marking the day and shift, he would be on duty. The mules or carriers were instructed not to take flights reaching while he would be at the airport. That’s because there was no chance of escaping his sharp eyes.
Not only the happening departments, but he had also made an unremarkable section like Service Tax robust.
While on one side, his fearless attitude frightened the hardcore criminals, it also landed him into controversies at times. However, as it is said that honest deeds are always rewarded, he came out victorious on every occasion and today is no less than a celebrity himself.
In this section, moving from the routine blogging style, I decided to interview the much-talked-about personality today, who is also rumoured to be joining politics after his visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur last month.
Q. The most important question, are you joining politics?
A. At this stage, this is a very immature question for me regarding joining politics. My only aim is to serve the nation. I call it ‘Rashtra sarvopari’(nation first). It can be done in any role like now also I have been serving the nation as an IRS officer.
Q. How did you get this fearless and no-nonsense attitude?
A. Right from childhood, I used to stay close to a nationalist family. I also used to go to the RSS Shakha where in the evening they taught us stories of Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, and other great personalities. These were the heroes who fought against the mighty. When you are 7 to 8 years old, a formation becomes in your mind. Besides, before sleep, my mother used to narrate similar stories to me. These stories were always about fighting against injustice.
Finally, the last thing my mother taught me was about death. It has to come one day and it can be in any form. There is nothing better if you die for the nation.
Q. Your sincerity and uncompromising stand at work had attracted controversies at times. Did this at any time cause the slightest of uncertainty in you about continuing to do your duty with the same vigour?
A. Most of the time I had good, supportive bosses. When you fight against injustice, illegal things, criminals, muscle, and money power, you face challenges. They level allegations and harass you. But it makes my resolve stronger. I will continue with my fight against these evils in good faith, in the line of duty, and for the nation.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj faced so many challenges, and accusations by the Mughals, but these made him further stronger. I follow such great examples.
Q. Narcotics have become a big menace destroying youths and families. You had successfully launched a crackdown on the drug mafia while posted as the zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau. What is the way out to beat this addiction?
A. It is a very very deep problem. It needs a comprehensive approach and there has to be a holistic view. We should not only target the big suppliers but also the manufacturers and peddlers. Till you stop the demand-supply chain, it won’t help. I follow what our Hon. Home Minister says – finish it from top to bottom.
Many officers believe that we should only target big cases. But as a narcotics officer, my duty is to target all kinds of cases whether big or small. In my career, I have done that and handled all kinds of cases.
Q. How challenging is it to combat drug trafficking in the age of the dark web where payment is made through cryptocurrency?
A. It is extremely challenging. Earlier, we only knew drugs like charas, ganja, heroin, and opium. Now synthetic drugs are coming from foreign countries and the dealing is done through the dark web, with payments made in cryptocurrency. The USP here is anonymity, which is a dangerous challenge for us. The tech-savvy youngsters are forward in this. And it is a big danger for the youth.
Q. While in NCB, you and your team were attacked by drug traffickers and their accomplices a couple of times. How did you manage to keep the morale of your team high in such situations?
A. You have to lead from the front and go to the field. I was many times told by some department officers that you are an Additional Commissioner, why are you going to the field? I never believed in that. I can’t sit on the armchair in the AC when my team is on the field. When your command leads from the front, it gives confidence to the team. If you sit in the office, nobody will have faith in you. You have to treat the entire team as your brothers. I believe in camaraderie.
Q. How serious is narco-terrorism in the present time?
A. It is very serious. Whenever our Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Home Minister talk about national security, they talk about narco-terrorism. It is dangerous for the youth, health as well as the health of the nation. Whatever money you spend in buying drugs, lands in the hands of the enemies of the nation.
Q. Besides narcotics, the other serious issue is gold smuggling. How damaging is it for the economy?
A. When these things are imported illegally into the country, it generates black money. It causes a serious dent in the economy.
Q. How do you control this?
A. There has to be a major focus on suspected passengers. There needs to be regular profiling of the passengers and air routes. Illegal gold also comes in containers. So this route also needs to be followed regularly. Maximum preventive detention should be used against the smugglers to deter them and their activities. There should be zero tolerance towards smuggling.
Q. If not civil service, what profession you would have gone for?
A. Had not been in civil service, I would have been an archaeologist because I love ancient history. I would have completed my post-graduation in archaeology. Moreover, my mother wanted me to wear an olive green or khaki uniform.
Crime Alert 