Tag: Uddhav Thackeray

  • Out on bail, Union Minister Narayan Rane to resume ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ in Maharashtra soon

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Union minister Narayan Rane will resume his ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ in Maharashtra in a couple of days, a close aide said on Wednesday, a day after the BJP leader was arrested over his remarks against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and later granted bail.

    The route of Rane’s tour will be the same and the date of its resumption will be conveyed soon, his aide Rajan Teli said in a statement.

    Rane is expected to address a press conference on Wednesday, BJP state spokesman Keshav Upadhye said.

    ALSO READ | Narayan Rane’s arrest justified, but custodial interrogation not necessary: Court

    The BJP leader, who was recently inducted into the Union cabinet, began his yatra from Mumbai on August 19.

    The seven-day yatra was to conclude in Sindhudurg.

    On Monday, during his yatra in Raigad, Rane sparked off a row over his remarks about slapping Chief Minister Thackeray for what he claimed as the latter’s ignorance of the year of India’s independence.

    Four FIRs were registered against him in Maharashtra over his remarks, which triggered a political row and protests across the state on Tuesday.

    Rane was arrested on Tuesday afternoon from Ratnagiri district in the state and granted bail by a court at Mahad in Raigad late at night.

  • After Narayan Rane’s arrest, son Nitesh tweets video hinting at ‘strong reply’

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shortly after Union minister Narayan Rane got bail following arrest over his remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the BJP leader’s MLA son Nitesh Rane tweeted a video from a Bollywood movie, hinting at retribution.

    Nitesh Rane posted a clip on his Twitter handle from the film “Rajneeti”, where a character played by actor Manoj Bajpayee says, “Those who spit up in the air should know that it would fall on their face only. There will be a strong reply.”

    Narayan Rane was arrested on Tuesday following his remarks that he would have slapped Chief Minister Thackeray for what he claimed as the latter’s ignorance of the year of India’s independence.

    He was granted bail by a court at Mahad in Raigad district late Tuesday night.

    “Satyamev Jayate” (truth always prevails), the Union MSME minister had tweeted after getting bail.

    He faces four FIRs in Maharashtra over his remarks, which triggered a political row and protests across the state on Tuesday.

  • Narayan Rane’s arrest justified, but custodial interrogation not necessary: Court

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: A court at Mahad in Maharashtra while granting bail to Union Minister Narayan Rane said his arrest over his controversial remarks against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was “justified”, but his custodial interrogation was not necessary.

    The order was passed by the court late Tuesday night and a detailed copy of it was made available on Wednesday.

    “Considering the reason for arrest and other reasons, I found that the arrest is justified,” magistrate S S Patil said in the order.

    The court noted that while a few sections under which Rane was booked were non-bailable, they were not punishable with life or death.

    “Considering these factors, no prejudice would be caused to the prosecution if the accused is released on bail,” the court said, adding that “the accused shall not commit a similar type of offence”.

    Rane was arrested on Tuesday afternoon from Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra following his remarks that he would have slapped Chief Minister Thackeray for what he claimed as the latter’s ignorance of the year of India’s independence.

    The Union minister was produced before magistrate Patil at Mahad in Raigad on Tuesday night.

    The police sought his custody for seven days, which the court refused and remanded him to judicial custody till September 4.

    Rane’s advocates then moved a bail application.

    The plea was heard and Rane was granted bail on a surety of Rs 15,000.

    He was directed to appear at the office of Superintendent of Police in Alibaug (Raigad) on August 30 and September 13.

    Rane’s advocate Rajendra Shirodkar argued that the police had not followed the mandate of law laid down under Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which says in cases where arrest is not warranted, the police ought to first issue a notice/summons to the accused for questioning.

    However, the court in its order noted that in this particular section there are grounds given when the police officer can arrest a person without notice/summons.

    The magistrate, while refusing to grant Rane’s custody to the police, noted that the alleged statement of the accused (Rane) was made before the media.

    “The informant (complainant in the case) himself alleged in the FIR that the accused made the statement before the media and it was viral on social media. Considering the nature of the offence, I do not find it necessary to hand over the accused in police custody,” the magistrate said in the order.

    While arguing on Rane’s bail plea, Shirodkar told the court that the accused was a senior citizen with roots in the society and hence, would not abscond.

    He further told the court that he had advised his client (Rane) not to make such statements in public in future, but Rane did not concede to such an undertaking quoting his liberty.

    The police opposed the bail plea, arguing that the accused was a Union cabinet minister and was making such irresponsible statements which would create disharmony in the society.

    The court in its order directed Rane to cooperate with the probe into the case and if police want a voice sample of the minister, then he (Rane) shall assist.

    “The only rider is that the police shall give seven-day prior notice to the accused,” it said.

    The court also noted that the police had not followed directions given by the Bombay High Court with regard to maintaining a proper case diary.

    “Admittedly, the case diary produced before me are two papers which are not paginated,” the magistrate said.

    Rane faces four FIRs in Maharashtra over his remarks, which triggered a political row and protests across the state on Tuesday.

    The FIR at Mahad was registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 189 (threat of injury to public servant), 504 (intentional insult to provoke break of public peace) and 505 (statements conducive to public mischief).

  • Narayan Rane embarassed Centre, PM should take stern view of his remarks against Uddhav: Shiv Sena

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena on Wednesday claimed Union minister Narayan Rane has made the central government hang its head in shame, a day after the BJP leader was arrested over his controversial remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah must take Rane’s remarks against CM Thackeray seriously, an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ said.

    On Monday, during his ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ in adjoining Raigad district, Rane said, “It is shameful that the chief minister does not know the year of independence. He leaned back to enquire about the count of years of independence during his speech. Had I been there, I would have given (him) a tight slap.”

    The Union MSME minister was arrested on Tuesday over his comments which triggered a political row and protests across Maharashtra.

    He was granted bail by a court at Mahad in Raigad late Tuesday night.

    In a scathing attack on Rane over his remarks, the editorial in ‘Saamana’ likened him to a “balloon with holes”, which, it said, will never go up no matter how much the BJP tries to put fill it with air.

    Despite being given the post of a Union minister, Rane has been behaving like a “roadside gangster”, it alleged.

    “Rane has made the central government hang its head in shame. Given Rane’s past record, Modi-Shah should take his comments against Thackeray seriously. If anybody had spoken in this manner about the prime Minister, he would have been booked under sedition charges. Rane’s crime is similar,” the editorial said.

    It said Maharashtra is a state which runs as per law and such acts will “not be tolerated after a certain point”.

    The prime minister will not tolerate such acts, the Marathi daily said, adding that the BJP “will have to pay for this heavily”.

    “The hand that threatens to attack a chief minister should be pulled out legally. The previous Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra has made a few intellectuals languish in jail on allegations that they conspired to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the editorial said.

    It said threatening to physically assault the chief minister is like hurting the sentiments of 105 martyrs of the ‘Samyukta (united) Maharashtra movement.

    Rane has hurt Maharashtra, and (state BJP leaders) Devendra Fadnavis and Chandrakant Patil have been supporting him, the Sena said.

    “Any cultured leader would have apologised and ended the matter, as nobody is above the state. But, for the BJP, Maharashtra’s pride and prestige of the chief minister are immaterial,” it claimed.

  • Slap remarks on Uddhav: Nashik Police summons Narayan Rane on September 2; BJP MPs to meet Lok Sabha Speaker

    By ANI

    NASHIK: Nashik Police has sent notice to Union Minister Narayan Rane in connection with the FIR lodged against him for his alleged ‘derogatory’ remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    As per the information shared by the police, Rane has been asked to appear at the police station on September 2.

    Rane was arrested in Ratnagiri district after several FIRs were registered against him at several places including Nashik and Pune, based on the complaints filed by Shiv Sena leaders for his remarks against Thackeray.

    Rane had on Monday accused Thackeray of ignorance about the year of India’s independence at an event and said “I would have given (him) a tight slap”.

    Shiv Sena leaders strongly condemned Rane’s remarks and party leader Vinayak Raut sought his removal from the Union Cabinet.

    Hours after his arrest, Rane was granted bail by the Magistrate Court in Mahad in Raigad district. The Court also ordered the Union Minister to be present at the Ratnagiri police station for inquiry on August 31 and September 13 and cautioned him not to commit a similar kind of offence in the future.

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders including Union Minister JP Nadda condemned Maharashtra Police for the alleged illegal detainment of Rane. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil even called the bail of Rane a ‘slap’ by the Court on the face of state government. 

    Although Rane was granted bail by the Magistrate Court in Mahad in Raigad district, the court has ordered the Union Minister to present at the Ratnagiri police station for inquiry on August 31 and September 13.

    It has also cautioned Rane not to commit a similar kind of offence in the future.

    Speaking to ANI, Narayan Rane’s Advocate Sangram Desai said: “While granting bail, the court has put certain conditions — he shall be present at the police station for inquiry on August 31 and September 13 and shall not commit a similar kind of offence in the future.”

    Meanwhile, BJP leader Pravin Darekar informed that the party would re-start the Jan Ashirwad Yatra in Maharashtra on Thursday.

    “Mahad Magistrate Court has granted bail to Union Minister Narayan Rane in connection with his alleged statement against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. We will start our Jan Ashirwad Yatra the day after tomorrow,” Darekar said on Tuesday.

    FIRs were registered against Rane at several places including Nashik and Pune, based on the complaints filed by Shiv Sena leaders.

    Pune City Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta said a case has been registered under sections 153 and 505 of IPC at Chaturshringi police station and an investigation is being held.Police detained Rane in Ratnagiri and he has been handed over to Mahad Police.

    Rane had earlier in the day moved the Bombay High Court seeking quashing of FIRs against him.

    Rane, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, was made Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the reshuffle and expansion of the council of ministers last month.

    Rane is in Maharashtra to take part in Jan Ashirwad Yatra. He made controversial remarks against Thackeray in Raigad.

    Mumbai Police have registered a total of 42 FIRs in connection with Rane’s Jan Ashirvaad Yatra.

    BJP MPs from Maharashtra will submit a memorandum to Speaker of Lok Sabha over the “violation” of rights of Rane, state BJP president Chandrakant Patil said.

    Speaking to reporters here, Patil alleged that Rane was arrested by the police without a warrant.

    He also alleged that Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab had asked police to use “force” while arresting Rane.

    “As an MP, Narayan Rane’s special rights were violated (due to the police action). BJP MPs from Maharashtra will approach the Lok Sabha speaker and submit a memorandum,”Patil said.

    He said Shiv Sena leader and minister Anil Parab had asking to use force (while arresting Rane) which is recorded in a video clip.

    The First Information Report at Mahad has been registered under IPC sections 189 (threat of injury to public servant), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of public peace), and 505 (statements conducive to public mischief).

    Patil said BJP will make all possible efforts to ensure the release of Rane, whom the Bombay High Court refused to grant any relief earlier in the day.

    Rane is likely to be produced before court at Mahad either on Tuesday or Wednesday, police sources had said.

    “We hope the court will pass an appropriate order,” Patil said.

    He said BJP cadres in Maharashtra have been asked to agitate against Rane’s arrest.

    Responding to a query, Patil said BJP’s image is not at all damaged by the remarks made by Rane but on the contrary the party has got a leader who believes in giving a “tit for tat” reply.

    Patil said the BJP and the entire country is standing with Rane.

    He said Rane’s behaviour was not “uncultured” and he has not committed any act that can affect the “cultural” face of the BJP.

    “Rane has not done anything wrong. Due to his statements, the BJP’s image is not getting spoiled. The entire country is standing with Rane,” the state BJP chief said.

    Patil said the BJP is all-inclusive.

    “The BJP absorbs everybody who joins the party. After becoming a member of the BJP, all live happily in the party,” the former state minister said.

    Patil said though BJP is not in power for the last 20 months, no leader left the party.

    “You will be surprised how big stalwarts (who have joined the BJP) have adjusted themselves with the BJP’s culture,” he said.

    When asked if Rane’s working style would change in future and how will BJP deal with it, Patil said Rane cannot bear injustice.

    “Though it is true that due to Rane, the BJP has got an aggressive face but there is no dearth of aggressive leaders in our party. We can say that due to Rane, we got a leadership which believes in giving ‘tit for tat answer’,” he said.

    Patil said Rane is an “asset” for the BJP and that is why he was inducted into the Union cabinet.

    “The Maharashtra government is scared as Rane’s ‘Jan Ashirvad Yatra’ was getting a huge response, which triggered today’s action (against Rane),” he claimed.

    Meanwhile, Shiv Sena workers burst crackers outside the BJP’s office in Pune.

    A separate protest was also staged by workers of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the MVA government, against Rane’s remarks.

    The Pune city unit of BJP also staged a demonstration.

    Earlier in the day, Sena activists released hens in the office of BJP in Pune city.

    Sena workers have put up several posters in Mumbai and other places, calling him a ‘kombdi chor’ (chicken stealer), a reference to the poultry shop he ran in suburban Chembur in Mumbai five decades ago, during his initial stint with the Bal Thackeray-led party.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Turncoats in BJP defend Narayan Rane, seniors distance themselves from ‘slap Uddhav’ comment

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  On a day marred by protests and exchange of barbs, senior BJP leaders sought to distance themselves from Union minister Narayan Rane’s controversial statement against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, but said his arrest was an attack on democracy and Constitutional propriety. 

    While it was the turncoats who first jumped into Rane’s support, senior leaders later joined them. BJP MLA Ram Kadam was one of the first to defend Rane, followed by BJP MLC Prasad Lad.

    While Kadam was earlier in the MNS, Lad came from NCP. Both vociferously defended the Union minister, claiming Shiv Sena was targeting him.

    Later, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said while he did not support Rane’s remark, the police could not arrest him. Leader of Opposition of Devendra Fadnavis was the last to address a press conference in support of Rane, but he,too, did not defend his statement. Fadnavis said people should refrain from making such remarks against anyone.

    The old guard of the BJP kept away from the controversy. However, soon after he was arrested, BJP president J P Nadda tweeted in support of Rane, while BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra criticised the Maha Vikas Aghadi, claiming Rane’s arrest was an attack on democracy and Constitution. Meanwhile, Fadnavis said despite Rane’s arrest, BJP’s Jan Ashirwad Yatra will continue with others leading it.

    The magistrate’s court denied the police’s request for Rane’s custody, but asked Rane to attend the Mahad police station on two days.

    The BJP leader had said during the Jan Ashirwad Yatra of his party on Monday that he would have slapped Thackeray over the latter’s `ignorance’ of the year of India’s independence.

    “Satyamev Jayate” (truth always prevails), Rane tweeted after getting bail and on his way back to Mumbai.

    After his arrest on Tuesday afternoon, Rane was taken to Mahad in Raigad district, 165 km from Mumbai, where an FIR was registered against him over the remark.

    Cases were registered against him at Nashik and Pune too as the remark set off angry protests by workers of the ruling Shiv Sena.

    Rane was taken into custody at Golwali, the ancestral village of former RSS chief Sadashivrao Golwalkar ‘Guruji’ in Ratnagiri district.

    He was then handed over to Raigad police around 2.45 pm in connection with the FIR registered at Mahad.

    The case at Mahad was registered under IPC sections 189 (threat of injury to public servant), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of public peace), and 505 (statements conducive to public mischief).

    At the Mahad court, Government pleader Bhushan Salvi sought seven-day police custody for the BJP leader.

    It was important to investigate if there was a conspiracy to tarnish the reputation of the chief minister, he said.

    Opposing the application, Rane’s lawyers Aniket Nikam and Bhau Salunkhe argued that his health condition was serious as he was 69 years old and suffered from sugar and blood pressure issues.

    Nikam further argued that the offenses under IPC for which Rane was arrested were all punishable with less than seven years and hence his custody was unnecessary.

    Nikam also argued that Rane’s arrest was illegal as no summons was issued to him under Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure before his arrest.

    Court, after hearing both the sides, denied the police the Union minister’s custody.

    It instead remanded him in judicial custody and then, on the plea moved by his lawyers, granted Rane bail on a surety of Rs 15,000.

    The arrest had followed Rane’s statement targeting Thackeray in Raigad district on Monday.

    “It is shameful that the chief minister does not know the year of independence. He leaned back to enquire about the count of years of independence during his speech (on August 15). Had I been there, I would have given (him) a tight slap,” Rane had said.

    Rane defended his remarks against Thackeray, saying he hasn’t committed any crime by making them.

    On media reportage of his ‘imminent arrest’ in the case, Rane said hours before his arrest that he was not a ‘normal’ (ordinary) man and cautioned the media against such reportage.

    Rane’s remarks against Thackeray drew sharp reactions from Shiv Sena, whose workers put up a poster in Mumbai, calling him a ‘kombdi chor’ (chicken stealer), a reference to the poultry shop he ran in Chembur area five decades ago, during the initial part of his over four-decade-long stint with the Bal Thackeray-led party.

    Rane’s remarks against Uddhav Thackeray set off protests in Mumbai and several other cities which included pelting of stones and vandalising offices of BJP in some areas by Shiv Sena cadres.

    In Mumbai, activists of Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Sena, and the BJP clashed near Rane’s residence on the Juhu Tara Road in Santacruz (West).

    Stones were pelted from both sides, following which police used cane-charge to disperse the agitators, an official said, adding heavy police security was deployed outside Rane’s residence.

    Slamming the Maharashtra government, BJP president J P Nadda said Rane’s arrest was violative of constitutional values, and his party will not be cowed down by such actions.

    In a tweet, Nadda said the “huge” response the BJP has received in its ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra’ has jolted its rivals.

    “We fight democratically. The yatra will continue,” he said.

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil distanced himself from Rane’s remarks.

    “I am not defending Rane’s comments, but I will also not express regret,” Patil said.

    Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP does not support Rane’s comments, but the “party stands behind him 100 per cent”.

    Alleging that the state police force was being used as a tool for “vendetta politics”, the former chief minister said there should be law and order and “not Taliban-like governance”.

    Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the sacking of Rane over his remarks against the Maharashtra chief minister.

    Though a team of Nashik police was earlier said to have left to take Rane in custody (as an FIR has been filed against him there too), a senior police official said late at night that they would not arrest the BJP leader for now in view of the Mahad court’s bail order.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Narayan Rane acting as per his `Sanskar’: Sharad Pawar

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Union minister Narayan Rane was acting according to his “Sanskar”, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said here on Tuesday.

    Rane was arrested earlier in the day over his statement that he would have slapped Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for allegedly not knowing India’s year of independence.

    “I do not want to get into this matter. He is acting as per his Sanskar (values imbibed during formative years),” Pawar told reporters when asked for his reaction.

    “I do not give any importance to the issue,” said the NCP chief, whose party shares power in Maharashtra with the Thackeray-headed Shiv Sena and Congress.

    Incidentally, Rane had started his political career with the Sena before falling out with the Thackerays and joining the Congress.

    He later switched allegiance to the BJP.

  • Ratnagiri Police arrest Union Minister Narayan Rane for his remarks against CM Uddhav Thackeray

    By Online Desk

    Amid protests and clashes between Shiv Sena and BJP workers in Maharashtra, Union Minister Narayan Rane was arrested by Ratnagiri police on Tuesday in connection with his remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    Talking to the reporters in Raigad, Rane sparked off a row over his remarks about ‘slapping’ CM Thackeray for what he claimed as the latter’s ‘ignorance’ of the year of India’s independence.

    Irked by the comments, Shiv Sena workers and leaders filed FIRs against the union minister.

    Big Breaking: BJP union minister Narayan Rane has been arrested by Ratnagiri police in connection with his objectionable remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.@NewIndianXpress @NewIndianXpress
    — Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) August 24, 2021
    Rane, however, defended his remarks against Uddhav Thackeray, saying he hasn’t committed any crime by making them.

    He also approached the Bombay High Court challenging the FIRs lodged against him and sought protection from arrest.

    (This is a developing story)

  • Union Minister Narayan Rane arrested for ‘slap CM Uddhav’ remarks

    By Online Desk

    Police on Tuesday arrested Union Minister and BJP leader Narayan Rane over his remarks about ‘slapping’ Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. 

    Rane’s statement came after activists of the Shiv Sena’s youth wing and the BJP clashed with each other near Rane’s residence in Mumbai.

    Talking to reporters in Raigad, Rane sparked off a row over his remarks about ‘slapping’ CM Thackeray for the latter’s alleged ‘ignorance’ of the year of India’s independence.

    Irked by the comments, Shiv Sena workers and leaders filed FIRs against the Union minister.

    After Rane’s arrest at Sangameshwar police station, the Jan Ashirwad Yatra was temporarily suspended, said BJP leader Pramod Jathar.

    Former CM Devendra Fadnavis said that the BJP does not support Rane’s comment. “We do not support Union Minister Narayan Rane’s remarks on the Chief Minister. One can get angry for not remembering the Amrit Mahotsav year of India’s Independence, this is natural.”

    Big Breaking: BJP union minister Narayan Rane has been arrested by Ratnagiri police in connection with his objectionable remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.@NewIndianXpress @NewIndianXpress
    — Sudhir Suryawanshi (@ss_suryawanshi) August 24, 2021
    Rane, however, defended his remarks against Uddhav Thackeray, saying he hasn’t committed any crime by making them.

    The Union Minister had approached the Ratnagiri court for anticipatory bail which was rejected.

    Rane also approached the Bombay High Court to get all the FIRs squashed and protection against the arrest. However, the High Court too had refused to entertain his plea and instead asked him to file a “proper petition”. 

    The Ratnagiri police commissioner met Rane at a private property where the minister was resting and explained about the FIR filed against him. Later, more police teams were called to maintain law and order keeping in view Rane’s arrest.

    Later on the day, Narayan Rane has been handed over to Mahad police by Sangameshwar police

    Meanwhile, BJP chief JP Nadda termed the arrest of Union Minister Narayan Rane “a violation of constitutional values”. In a tweet, Nadda said the “huge” response the BJP has received in its ‘Jan Aashirvad Yatra’ has jolted its rivals. “We fight democratically. The yatra will continue,” he said. 

    Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil, however, distanced himself from Rane’s remarks against Thackeray. “I am not defending Rane’s comments, but I will also not express regret,” Patil told a regional news channel.

  • Narayan Rane approaches Bombay HC against FIRs; seeks protection from arrest

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Union minister Narayan Rane approached the Bombay High Court on Tuesday, challenging the FIRs lodged against him over his remarks against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and sought protection from arrest.

    Rane’s petition, filed through advocate Aniket Nikam, sought the FIRs to be quashed.

    The BJP leader also sought an interim order granting him protection from arrest or any coercive action.

    The petition was mentioned before a division bench of Justices S S Shinde and N J Jamadar, seeking urgent hearing on Tuesday itself.

    The bench, however, refused to hear it and said mentioning (of the petition) was not allowed and asked the lawyer to follow the procedure.

    ALSO READ | ‘Haven’t committed any crime’: Rane on ‘tight slap’ remarks about Uddhav as security beefed outside Union Minister’s residence

    “File an application before the Registry department seeking urgent hearing and then we will consider,” the court said.

    The petition has challenged the FIRs lodged against Rane in Pune, Nashik and Mahad in Raigad.

    Rane had sparked off a row over his remarks about slapping CM Thackeray for what he claimed as the latter’s ignorance of the year of India’s independence.

    Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey on Tuesday issued orders for the immediate arrest of Rane after an FIR was registered against him in the north Maharashtra city over his remarks against the CM.