Have been made scapegoat ahead of Maharashtra polls: Raut on conviction


PTI, Sep 26, 2024, 3:55 PM IST

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed he has been made a scapegoat after his conviction in a defamation case and said he would challenge the judgment in a higher court.

A Mumbai court on Thursday morning sentenced the Rajya Sabha member to 15 days’ simple imprisonment in a defamation complaint filed against him by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya’s wife Medha Somaiya. It later suspended the sentence for 30 days and granted bail to him.

Talking to reporters, Raut asked how people like him who raise voices against corruption and other issues would get justice when the prime minister visits the residence of the Chief Justice of India to eat “modak” (a sweet dumpling usually offered to Lord Ganesh).

He was referring to PM Narendra Modi’s visit to CJI D Y Chandrachud’s residence during the Ganesh festival earlier this month, which had drawn criticism from the opposition parties.

In her complaint, Medha Somaiya said Raut had accused them of being involved in a Rs 100-crore scam over the construction and maintenance of some public toilets under the jurisdiction of the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation, on the outskirts of Mumbai.

“I have been made a scapegoat because of the impending assembly elections in Maharashtra,” said Raut.

The Sena (UBT) leader said he had pointed out that some work had taken place in Mira Bhayander through Yuvak Pratisthan, an organisation linked to Kirit Somaiya, and there were irregularities in it.

Even Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik had demanded a probe into the matter and there was some discussion in the state assembly, claimed Raut.

“If I said this then how have I defamed anyone? Everything is on record. There is also a Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation report. I have only asked questions about whether there is corruption.

“But the entire judiciary in the country is influenced by the RSS (‘sanghikaran’), right from top to bottom. I will appeal in the sessions court and we tell the people how we are wronged,” Raut said.

Besides convicting Raut under Indian Penal Code Section 500 (defamation), the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Aarti Kulkarni also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on him.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Actress Kasthuri stokes controversy by her remarks on Telugu-speaking people in TN

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Lone tusker spotted on NH-166 near Karkala, disrupts traffic

Lokayukta police summon Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for questioning in MUDA case on Wednesday

Not ‘kaun banega mukhyamantri’ contest; MVA to name CM pick after polls: Jairam Ramesh

Related Articles More

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Group clash in Indore after argument over bursting firecrackers: NSA slapped against 2 accused

Police rescue 70 cattle after gunfight with cow smugglers in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Actress Kasthuri stokes controversy by her remarks on Telugu-speaking people in TN

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi

Group clash in Indore after argument over bursting firecrackers: NSA slapped against 2 accused

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.