Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over a caste certificate forgery case involving former BMC corporator Ramesh Kamble.
What Are the Allegations Against Ramesh Kamble?
The case concerns allegations that Kamble contested the 2002 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election using a forged caste certificate to qualify for a seat reserved for Scheduled Castes.
According to a complaint filed by advocate Chitra Salunkhe, Kamble allegedly submitted a certificate identifying himself as a Hindu Mahar despite allegedly being Christian by birth. Kamble subsequently won the election and served as a municipal corporator.
The complaint alleges that the Divisional Caste Verification Committee at Konkan Bhavan declared his caste certificate invalid in 2005. The Bombay High Court and later the Supreme Court upheld the committee’s findings.
Why Was the Earlier Investigation Closed?
Chembur police initially registered a case earlier this year following Salunkhe’s complaint alleging cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust. After completing their investigation, police submitted a closure report and original investigation papers before the 11th Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Kurla.
The case was classified under a ‘C’ summary closure report, a category used when a complaint is considered neither established as true nor false, or arises from a mistake or misunderstanding. Salunkhe subsequently challenged the investigation, seeking further examination by another agency.
Why Did the High Court Intervene?
Dissatisfied with the earlier investigation, Salunkhe approached the Bombay High Court through a criminal writ petition. The High Court directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to transfer the investigation to another department.
Following the direction, the commissioner assigned the case to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) for further investigation. The transfer places the earlier findings and the allegations surrounding Kamble’s caste certificate under renewed examination.
What Will the Crime Branch Investigate?
Crime Branch officials will examine the allegations, relevant documents and circumstances surrounding the alleged use of the caste certificate during the 2002 municipal election. Investigators will also review the inquiry previously conducted by Chembur police.
An official confirmed that the case had recently been referred to the Crime Branch and that the investigation would examine both the documentary evidence and the earlier police findings.
The allegations remain subject to investigation, and the transfer does not establish criminal wrongdoing.
The renewed investigation highlights the importance of examining disputed documents and earlier investigative conclusions when allegations concern eligibility for public office. The Crime Branch’s findings will be central to determining whether further legal action is warranted.
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