A Mumbai magistrate’s court has escalated proceedings in the defamation case involving Nitesh Rane by issuing a bailable warrant against him after repeated non-appearance despite multiple opportunities.
The case was initiated by Sanjay Raut in 2023, following a controversial public statement by Rane. In that speech, Rane allegedly described Raut as a “snake” and predicted that he would soon abandon Uddhav Thackeray to join the Nationalist Congress Party. The statement was politically sensitive, especially given the ongoing realignments in Maharashtra politics at the time. Both Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP had firmly rejected the claim, and Raut moved court alleging that the remarks were defamatory and intended to damage his reputation.
Since the filing of the complaint, the court has repeatedly directed Rane to appear in person to record his statement—an essential procedural step in such cases. However, despite these directions, Rane has not appeared before the court on multiple hearing dates. While his legal representatives have attended proceedings, the magistrate emphasised that representation through counsel cannot substitute personal presence when the court requires the accused’s statement to be recorded.
The court also took note of the pattern of non-compliance. Earlier in the proceedings, it had already issued two bailable warrants and one non-bailable warrant against Rane, which were subsequently cancelled after assurances or procedural developments. However, his continued absence appears to have prompted the court to adopt a stricter stance this time.
During the latest hearing, Raut’s counsel argued that the case should be expedited, highlighting that it involves elected public representatives—a Member of Parliament and a Member of the Legislative Assembly—and therefore falls under judicial guidelines that call for faster resolution of cases involving lawmakers. The argument was aimed at preventing delays and ensuring accountability.
Accepting these concerns, the magistrate observed that Rane had failed to comply with court directions on several occasions without sufficient justification. As a result, the court issued a fresh bailable warrant, compelling his appearance while still allowing him the opportunity to comply without immediate arrest.
The matter has now been scheduled for June 10, and Rane has been directed to appear in person on that date. If he fails to do so again, the court may consider more stringent legal measures, which could include issuing a non-bailable warrant or initiating further coercive action to secure his presence.
This development adds another layer to the ongoing political and legal tensions in Maharashtra, where disputes between leaders of rival factions frequently spill over into courts. The outcome of the next hearing will be crucial in determining whether the proceedings move forward smoothly or escalate further due to continued non-compliance.
