Mumbai: The special MP and MLA sessions court, while dismissing the plea of BJP leader Narayan Rane challenging the defamation proceedings initiated by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, observed that the statements made by Rane were intended to tarnish Raut’s reputation.
The special court while dismissing Rane’s petition said that, “Prima facie, the applicant’s (Rane’s) statements are false and were made publicly, thereby satisfying the ingredients of imputation and publication.”
Raut had last year filed a criminal defamation case against Rane citing an incident of January 15, 2023. Rane had allegedly made remarks on Raut at Konkan Festival organised in Bhandup on January 15, 2023.
Rane had in the said event during his speech had allegedly said that, it was because of him, Raut was nominated as a member of Rajyasabha, when they both were in Shivsena. Rane had further claimed that Raut's name was not even in the voter's list. Raut said these statements were made only to defame him in front of people.
The Metropolitan Magistrate court had on April 23, accepting the complaint filed by Raut had observed that, documents on record prima-facie revealed Rane made defamatory statements against Raut in an open gathering, which were published in newspapers and electronic media. The court had while taking cognisance of the complaint had issued summons to him.
Rane had challenged the process and order of the magistrate court issuing process against him before the special sessions court for MP and MLA. Rane had claimed that "complaint is a politically motivated use of criminal process to suppress political discourse. And This is a counter-blast complaint, filed to harass a political rival, and amounts to a gross abuse of legal process."
In its detailed order released on Thursday, the special court has said that, “the statement that the complainant had committed fraud and would have to go to jail is vague, unsubstantiated, and cannot be said to have been made in good faith or with due care and attention. The statements were made without supporting material, thereby indicating malice and an intent to tarnish the complainant’s reputation.”
“the allegations are specific, demonstrably false, and have been made with the apparent intention to lower the complainant’s reputation,” the court added, refusing to give any relief to Rane.
