Bombay HC Seeks Probe Details in Atrocities Act Case Against Nawab Malik

Sameer Wankhede

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Mumbai police to provide details of the investigation into a case filed against NCP leader Nawab Malik under the Atrocities Act, following a complaint by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede.

Wankhede, an additional commissioner in the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS) and a member of the Mahar Scheduled Caste, had approached the court seeking the transfer of the case to the CBI, citing alleged police inaction.

A division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan instructed the officer-in-charge of the Goregaon police station to appear before the court on the next hearing date, bringing along the case diary.

The court has asked to be updated on the progress of the investigation within two weeks.

In his petition, filed through advocate Sana Raees Khan, Wankhede alleged that the lack of action by the police has caused him and his family significant emotional distress and humiliation.

The complaint, originally filed in August 2022, accused Malik of making defamatory caste-based remarks against Wankhede and his family during interviews and on social media. Despite the complaint, Malik has not been arrested, nor has a chargesheet been filed.

Wankhede’s petition, filed on November 20, also highlights the failure of the police to investigate the matter, leading him to request the case be transferred to the CBI for a more impartial investigation. He further sought that the court monitor the probe, citing the mental distress and harm caused by the delay in justice.

The IRS officer noted that in 2021, his father filed a defamation suit against Malik, and the court had ordered Malik to refrain from making further defamatory remarks.

However, Wankhede alleges that Malik continued his campaign to humiliate and defame him and his family, targeting their caste and questioning the validity of Wankhede’s caste certificate.

Wankhede also contends that Malik’s remarks escalated after he arrested Malik’s son-in-law, Sameer Khan, in a drugs case in 2021. Following the arrest, Malik allegedly launched a sustained campaign on social media and television, attacking the officer’s caste and character.

Wankhede had also filed a complaint with the Scheduled Caste Commission in October 2021, requesting action against Malik.