**Nawab Malik’s Defamation Complaints Withdrawn After Political Shift**
Months after Nawab Malik, a leader of the NCP (SP), aligned himself with the Ajit Pawar faction, two defamation complaints against the former Maharashtra minister have been officially withdrawn. BJP leader Mohit Bharatiya Khamboj, who initiated the complaints in 2021, submitted an affidavit to the magistrate court stating his decision to withdraw the cases voluntarily, citing his inability to attend court proceedings regularly.
The first complaint involved alleged defamatory remarks made by Malik during a press conference on November 7, 2021. The second complaint addressed Malik’s claims that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was operating under BJP influence, which included derogatory statements about Khamboj and his brother-in-law. Following the issuance of a notice to Malik, he was granted bail.
At the time of the complaints, Malik was serving as a minister in the Maharashtra government, which was part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance led by Sharad Pawar. The BJP was in opposition, and the complaints emerged amid investigations by central agencies into various ministers.
During the hearings, Malik requested that the complaints be expedited due to their prolonged status. Khamboj, who was expected to testify as the complainant, missed several court appearances, leading to a standstill in the proceedings. Following Khamboj’s affidavit, the court dismissed the complaints as uncontested and “withdrawn before evidence.” Notably, Khamboj had previously filed three cases against Malik, with one being withdrawn in 2022.
In summary, the withdrawal of these defamation complaints marks a significant development in the ongoing political landscape of Maharashtra, reflecting the shifting alliances and the complexities of political rivalries in the region.
**FAQ**
*What were the defamation complaints against Nawab Malik about?*
The complaints involved alleged defamatory statements made by Malik during a press conference and accusations regarding the NCB’s operations under BJP influence.
