Bombay High Court Dismisses Contempt Plea Filed by Sameer Wankhede’s Father Against Nawab Malik

The Bombay High Court recently dismissed a contempt petition filed by Dhyandev Kachruji Wankhede, father of former NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede, against erstwhile Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik.

The petition alleged a violation of a previous undertaking given by Malik to refrain from making public comments about Wankhede or his family.

A Division Bench comprising Justices M.S. Sonak and Jitendra Jain noted that there was no clarity on the specific order or undertaking which the alleged contempt pertained to.

The Court was referred to an earlier order dated February 8, 2022, in a previous contempt petition.

That order, as per the petitioner, quoted an affidavit filed by Malik on December 10, 2021, in which he undertook not to comment further on Wankhede or his family even if questioned by the media.

The present petition alleged that a subsequent tweet by Malik violated this undertaking.

It was pointed out before the bench that the undertaking was intended to operate only during the pendency of Suit (L) No. 25974 of 2021, which has since been dismissed for non-clearance of office objections.

While dismissing the petition, court observed,

"A contempt is a matter between the Contemnor and the Court. The role of the Petitioner is only to place the circumstances before the Court. Considering the above circumstances cumulatively, we do not deem it appropriate to exercise our contempt jurisdiction in this matter."

It was clarified that the dismissal of the contempt petition would not preclude the petitioner from exploring alternative remedies, including restoration of the dismissed suit and pursuit of reliefs therein.

Case Title: Dhyandev Kachruji Wankhede v. Nawab Malik

Judgment Date: July 11, 2025

Bench: Justice MS Sonak and Justice Jitendra Jain