Union Minister Rane Granted Bail After Arrest Over ‘Slap Udhav’ Remark.
Last Updated on August 25, 2021 by Administrator
By- Shrey Garg.
Raigad Magistrate Court at Mahad in Maharashtra has granted bail to Union Minister Narayan Rane in the case of allegedly making derogatory remarks against Maharashtra’s Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray.
There are three other First Information Reports (FIR’s) registered against Narayan Rane at Pune, Nashik and Thane.
The FIR’s accuse Rane of committing offences punishable under Sections 500 and 505(2) and 153 A of the Indian Penal Code. Section 500 punishes a person for committing criminal defamation, 505(2) is related to making statements which can lead to mischief while 153 A deals with promoting enmity to disrupt harmony. He was produced before Judicial Magistrate Shaikhbabaso S. Patil.
Bhushan Salvi pleaded before the magistrate on behalf of the state government of Maharashtra and sought 7 days police custody of Rane for further investigation. He added that a investigation is needed to ascertain that there is no conspiracy being planned for destroying the reputation of the CM.
The application of the state government was opposed by Rane’s lawyers Aniket Nikam and Bhau Salunkhe. They submitted before the magistrate that the custody was not required as the offences Rane was accused of carry a sentence of less than 7 years.
Nikam argued that the arrest of Rane was illegal as the procedural requirement of issuing a summon mandated under Section 41 A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
They also questioned the application of Section 500 in the current case as the offence is non- cognizable and the victim himself has not lodged a complaint against Rane.
Rane had also filed a petition for urgent hearing of the matter at Bombay High Court. However, the court refused to entertain the plea and directed Rane’s lawyers to follow due procedure and request the registry for an urgent hearing.
It is expected that the High Court will take up the matter for hearing tomorrow.
