Mumbai Crime Branch Takes Over 2002 BMC Poll Case Against Former Corporator Over Alleged Fake Caste Certificate

Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch has assumed jurisdiction over the investigation of a case against former Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) corporator Ramesh Kamble, who is accused of using a forged caste certificate to contest the 2002 civic election, following orders from the Bombay High Court. This transfer occurred after the complainant, advocate Chitra Salunkhe, contested the Chembur police's decision to close the case, requesting a new inquiry by another agency.

The complaint was initially filed by Salunkhe, alleging fraud, forgery and other offenses concerning Kamble's caste certificate. The Chembur police registered an FIR and subsequently submitted a closure report before the 11th Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Kurla. The complainant, dissatisfied with the investigation classification as a 'C' summary, petitioned the Bombay High Court for a fresh investigation by another department, which the court subsequently ordered.

The Mumbai Police Commissioner then assigned the case to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) for further investigation and report submission. The Crime Branch has now taken up the matter, as reported by The Times of India. Allegations Against Kamble: According to the complaint, Kamble contested the 2002 BMC election from a Scheduled Castes reserved seat by falsely submitting a caste certificate identifying him as a Hindu Mahar, despite his birthright as a Christian.

He won the election and served as a corporator. The Divisional Caste Verification Committee at Konkan Bhavan deemed his caste certificate invalid in 2005, a decision upheld by both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court, as per the complaint. Allegations Against Kamble: The complaint details that Kamble used a false caste certificate to contest the election, which was later declared invalid by two judicial bodies.

Current Status: The Crime Branch has only recently received the case and will now investigate the allegations, supporting evidence and the earlier investigation by the Chembur police.