Maharashtra: Narayan Rane seeks to quash Dhule 'hate speech' FIR over press conference criticising CM Udhhav Thackeray

MUMBAI: Union Minister Narayan Rane has filed a fresh petition before Bombay high court to quash the FIR against him filed on August 24, 2021 in Dhule by a Shiv Sena member for alleged hate speech following his press conference held the previous day where the BJP leader was critical of Uddhav Thackeray chief minister of Maharashtra.
Rane said he never had any intention to cause or promote any hatred between communities or against the CM as alleged.
Rane’s counsel Satish Maneshinde mentioned the matter on Tuesday and sought urgent hearing as the matter was lower on the board and the HC bench of Justices P B Varale and S M Modak said it would be heard on Wednesday.
Rane’s petition filed through advocates Aniket Nikam and Gajanan Shinde contends that the “false’’ First Information Report (FIR) is a political vendetta. His petition says that “registering crimes at various police stations against him for same series of transactions is nothing but to intentionally cause harassment to him.’’
Rane, 69, a BJP leader who holds the portfolio of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of India was earlier the chief minister of Maharashtra. He filed the petition last month.
The FIR by Dhulebased Hilal Mali says when he turned on the television on August 24, 2021 he saw Rane’s press conference telecast containing allegedly remarks which were “hateful’’ and “would incite rivalries and differences in two communities of the society.
The FIR is under section 153 (B) of Indian Penal Code as well as for defamation under section 500 IPC and section 505 (2) IPC for Statements to promote enmity or hatred.
The investigation is complete said Rane adding that what he said could by no stretch of imagination be construed to promote any communal differences or be prejudicial to peace and public tranquility.
He said the FIR is an abuse of the process of law as it is filed by a Sena member and Sena is a part of the Coalition government in Maharashtra.