Nawab Malik remarks may demoralise Sameer Wankhede, NCB: PIL in Bombay High Court

A public interest litigation petition has been filed before the Bombay High Court seeking directions to restrain Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik from commenting in any manner on the officers of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) with an intention to demoralise the agency including its Zonal Director, Sameer Wankhede and his family members. .The PIL has been filed by a Mumbai resident who is a Maulana and businessman. "In his capacity as a priest, the petitioner is taking steps for rehab of all persons who are addicts of consuming drugs", the plea filed through advocate Ashok Saraogi stated.The petitioner submitted that the NCB has been taking steps to prevent consumption of such drugs even as mafias are trading in drugs within the country and internationally.Referring to the slew of investigations that cropped up after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the plea stated that investigations were being carried out by agencies like NCB, Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate."However NCB has proved to be the most effective agency under the supervision of the officer named Sameer Wankhede," the plea underscored. .The petitioner pointed out that in the event of any grievance against Wankhede, it would have been appropriate for Malik to adopt legal proceedings. Instead Malik started a war against not only Wankhede but also his sister, the plea contended. Referring to Malik's tweets, the petitioner stated that "right to speech could not have been used for the purpose of demoralising any person". It seemed that all the statements were issued only to demoralise Sameer Wankhede and his team who is presently also investigating the cruise ship drug case. .The PIL pointed out that while the press has the liberty to publish articles pertaining to the court proceedings, it cannot be utilised for demoralising an officer who is working for the interest of the State and society at large. .Saraogi mentioned the matter before Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik on Wednesday.The Bench asked him to approach the vacation bench or wait for the regular courts to resume.