Bombay High Court 'Disturbed' After Police Officer Produces Imposter In Court, Instead Of Original Complainant In FIR Against Zee TV Show

The Bombay High Court was recently disturbed by the conduct of a Cyber Crime Police Officer, who produced an imposter before the court passing him off as a complainant in a First Information Report (FIR) against a TV serial "Tum Se Tum Tak" aired on popular channel Zee TV.

A division bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad noted that the complainant as per the FIR - Sunil Sharma, has contended that his sentiments are hurt by the telecasting of the serial, which revolves around the story of a 50-year-old man falling in love with a 20-year-old girl.

The judges noted that the Cyber Crime Police had on July 3 issued a communication to the makers of the show indicating about the "closure of enquiry" as per the complaint.

However, the makers before the bench, pointed out that when one of its officers personally visited the complainant Sunil Sharma at the residence shown in the complaint, the security guard present there informed him that no such person lives there.

Therefore, the bench on July 8, asked the nodal officer Prafull Wagh, to produce the complainant Sunil Sharma before the court on July 16, with his original Aadhar Card, Voter Identity Card and Ration Card.

However, when the matter was called out on July 16, officer Wagh produced one stating his name as Sunil Mahendra Sharma. However, when the judges perused the Aadhar Card and Voter ID Card, they found that his name reflected there was Mahendra Sanjay Sharma.

Thereafter, the bench asked the man to sign on a white piece of paper and noted that he put in three different signatures which eventually did not match with the signature reflecting on the complaint by Sunil Sharma.

Taking note of the same, the judges said,

"It is very disturbing for the Court to record the conduct and behavior of the Police Officer, Mr. Wagh. Any attempt to hoodwink the Court and produce an imposter before the Court with the object to snatch an order, based on misinformation or wrong information, cannot be countenanced."

The bench noted that despite a clear order asking Wagh to produce the original complainant Sunil Sharma, the officer produced an imposter.

"Surprisingly, the said Police Officer has produced Mr. Mahendra Sanjay Sharma before the Court by passing him of as Mr. Sunil Mahendra Sharma, the Complainant whose address and mobile number is mentioned in the Complaint. To say the least, our Judicial conscience is shocked by the conduct of this Police Officer. Even if this man Mr. Mahendra Sanjay Sharma claims to be the Complainant Mr. Sunil Sharma, it clearly is a blatant lie considering the various documents on record. This case becomes more serious because this man tried to initially sign as Sunil Sharma. None of his 3 signatures match with the signature on the Complaint," the judges observed.

Giving false evidence in any manner, is to be dealt with legally, the bench said, adding, "Any person who intentionally makes a false statement in a legal proceeding knowing or believes it to be false, is an offence. So also, sections 215 and 379 of the BNSS 2023 (earlier sections 195 and 340 of the CrPC) would be attracted."

Considering these provisions, the judges ordered Wagh and the complainant to file their affidavits in the court by July 24, explaining their stance.

Appearance:

Senior Advocate Sanjog Parab along with Advocates Sulabha Rane, Sakshi Baadkar, Pranjal Pandey, Sangram Parab and Mohan Rao appeared for the Petitioner.Additional Public Prosecutor SV Gavand represented the State.

Case Title: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd vs State of Maharashtra (Criminal Writ Petition 3607 of 2025)

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