Union Minister Narayan Rane moves Bombay High Court seeking quashing of FIRs accusing him of defamation against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray

Union Minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane has moved Bombay High Court seeking quashing of at least three First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against him for allegedly making derogatory statements against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Advocate Aniket Nikam appearing for Rane, stated that there were FIRs filed in Pune, Nashik and Raigad districts of Maharashtra.

He argued that the offences registered against him were punishable with imprisonment of less than 7 years.

In such offences the police had proceeded to arrest him without a Section 41A notice under the CrPC.

He prayed for urgent hearing on the ground that a team of police has been deputed to arrest Rane in Chiplun district of Maharashtra.

Refusing to grant an urgent hearing, a Bench of Justices SS Shinde and NJ Jamadar directed Nikam to follow the due procedure and file appropriate application for urgent hearing.

“Mentioning is not allowed. Follow the procedure, everyone has to follow the procedure. Do not make us do the job of Registry,” the Bench said.

The FIRs were registered under Section 500 (defamation), 505(2) (statements leading to mischief) and 153A (promoting enmity to disrupt harmony) of the Indian Penal Code.

Rane meanwhile also approached the Ratnagiri sessions court seeking anticipatory bail.

The sessions court, however, refused to grant any relief.