Another court begins action against NCP minister Nawab Malik

MUMBAI: Observing that prima facie it is proved that the words of NCP minister Nawab Malik had harmed the reputation of BJP functionary Mohit Bharatiya, a magistrate’s court on Monday issued process against the minister.
Last month, Bharatiya filed a defamation case in the Mazgaon metropolitan magistrate’s court against Malik for allegedly defaming him by claiming that his brother-inlaw Rishabh Sachdev was among the three persons detained and released by the NCB in the cruise drug bust case. Bharatiya, in his plea, said Malik had used his power and position as a cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government to raise doubts and spread frivolous allegations over the release of his brother-in-law on national television.
‘Malik is grossly misusing position’
The court said the documents and video clips produced by the complainant, Mohit Bharatiya, prima facie reveal that Nawab Malik has spoken words in press conferences dated October 9 and 11 on various news channels and social media platforms so that it will be seen by the public at large. “The verification statement of the complainant runs with his complaint. Thereby, ingredients of Section 500 (defamation) is prima faciely proved against accused,” metropolitan magistrate P I Mokashi said.
In his complaint, Bharatiya alleged that Malik, a cabinet minister, had grossly misused his dominant position to defame him and his family with highly speculative arguments without any evidence to substantiate his alleged malicious claims.
Bharatiya’s complaint said that in the press conference, the NCP minister “purposefully and intentionally defamed the complainant and his brotherin-law to forward the agenda that the Narcotics Control Bureau is acting under the influence of BJP.”
The plea said that Malik attempted to connect him to the cruise drugs bust case.
Malik has been targeting the NCB in the drug bust case.