Nagpur Sessions Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Maha Youth Congress Leader Prashant Gaikwad In Extortion Case

Mumbai: The sessions court, Nagpur has granted anticipatory bail to Prashant Gaikwad, Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress, booked allegedly for extortion on the complaint of Kunal Raut, President of the Maharashtra Youth Congress.

Raut had lodged a case against Gaikwad on May 14, wherein he claimed that a rally under the name of ‘Yuva Aakrosh Yatra’ was organized by Raut between March 15 and March 19, covering the route from Pune to Mumbai. Gaikwad had participated in the rally too.

It is alleged that after the event concluded, Gaikwad began making monetary demands from Raut, claiming that he had arranged for certain individuals to attend the final gathering of the Yatra and sought compensation for it. It was alleged that Gaikwad had been defaming Raut on several platforms.

On April 26, Raut claimed when he was not at home Gaikwad visited his house and demanded Rs 10 lakhs and if not paid he threatened to damage Raut’s political career. Hence, Raut lodged the case against Gaikwad.

Gaikwad’s lawyer Mohammad Shayan Usmani, contended that Raut had on March 17 contacted him claiming that there was less crowd in the Morcha and asked Gaikwad to mobilise more crowd on March 19, as the rally was to be attended by National President of the Indian Youth Congress.

Gaikwad claimed that Raut categorically assured him that remuneration would be paid for all expenses incurred towards such mobilisation. However, since he was not paid he had kept following up with Raut.

Usmani argued that on April 26, he had not entered the house but politely inquired about Raut. However, it was alleged that as he left the premises, he was followed by unknown person who assaulted him.

Usmani contended that he had attempted to file complaints and even sent online complaint but the case was not registered. Instead, Raut’s complaint was lodged.

The court heard contention from both sides, and observed that Gaikwad can be released on anticipatory bail by imposing conditions.