A Mumbai sessions court on Thursday acquitted Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut in a defamation case filed by Medha Somaiya, the wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, reported PTI.
The court allowed Raut’s revision application, effectively setting aside a magistrate court’s earlier order that had convicted him and sentenced him to 15 days in jail.
The detailed judgment is yet to be made available.
Case stemmed from allegations of Rs 100 crore scam
The defamation case was filed after Raut allegedly made statements in the media accusing Medha Somaiya and her husband of involvement in an alleged Rs 100 crore scam linked to the construction of public toilets in the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation area, reported PTI.
Medha Somaiya had approached the court claiming that the allegations were baseless and had caused reputational damage to her and her family.
Raut challenged lower court verdict
Following his conviction last year by a magistrate court, Raut moved the sessions court, challenging the ruling and seeking relief. His plea argued against the findings of the lower court and questioned the basis of the conviction, reported PTI.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the sessions court ruled in Raut’s favour, granting him relief from the earlier sentence.
Political reactions likely as details awaited
The acquittal is expected to trigger political reactions, given the high-profile nature of the case involving leaders from rival political parties.
While the detailed order is awaited, the ruling marks a significant legal development for Raut, who had maintained that the allegations against him in the case were unfounded.
Raut accuses Fadnavis of using corruption cases to assert control over ministers
Meanwhile, days after a bribery case surfaced in a Maharashtra minister`s office, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday claimed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis initiates action against ministers and later gives them a clean chit to maintain control, reported PTI.
Speaking to reporters, Raut also alleged that all ministers in the state government were involved in corruption and though the Anti-Corruption Bureau was keeping a close watch on them, it would not act until Fadnavis gave directions.
He called Fadnavis a “hypocrite” when it comes to taking action against corruption. Citing the recent ACB raid on an official in minister Narhari Zirwal`s department in connection with bribery, Raut alleged that Fadnavis initiates action against ministers, gets raids conducted on them, and later gives them a clean chit to keep them under his control.
(With inputs from PTI)
