Mumbai: The Mumbai Police informed the Bombay High Court that it has decided to file a closure report in the Atrocities Act case filed by former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede against NCP leader Nawab Malik, citing lack of evidence.
State advocate SS Kaushik told a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale that the police have conducted their investigation and will submit a “C-summary report” before the magistrate’s court in the 2022 case.
What Is A “C-Summary Report”
A “C-summary report” is filed when the police conclude there is no evidence to support the allegations, and the case is deemed neither true nor false. Once filed, the complainant can challenge the report before the trial court, which will decide whether to accept or reject it after hearing all parties.
About The Case
Wankhede had moved the high court last year alleging police inaction on his complaint against Malik under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Wankhede. Wankhede, who is currently an Additional Commissioner in the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS) and a member of the Mahar Scheduled Caste, sought the transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In its order dated January 14, a copy of which was made available on Monday late night, the court disposed of Wankhede’s petition, observing that “in view of the police’s statement, nothing survives for consideration.” However, the bench clarified that Wankhede was free to pursue appropriate legal remedies. “Needless to state, we have not gone into the merits of the petitioner’s complaint nor the investigation carried out by the police, and all contentions of all parties are kept open,” the court noted.
Bombay HC Directs Police To Investigate The Matter
Earlier, in December 2024, the HC had directed the police to investigate the matter and bring it to its logical conclusion. Subsequently, the police added two sections under the Atrocities Act—Section 3(1)(q) (false information to cause injury or annoyance) and Section 3(1)(r) (intentional insult or intimidation of a Scheduled Caste or Tribe member).
Allegation Made By Sameer Wankhede Against Nawab Malik
Wankhede alleged Malik initiated a campaign to defame him after the former arrested Malik’s son-in-law Sameer Khan in a 2021 drug case. According to Wankhede, Malik targeted him on social media and television, questioning his caste and the authenticity of his caste certificate, causing him and his family mental distress and humiliation. His counsel, Rajiv Chavan, pointed out that despite an FIR filed in August 2022, Malik has not been arrested.
