ARREST JUSTIFIED BUT CUSTODY NOT NEEDED: COURT IN RANE’S BAIL ORDER

MUMBAI: The arrest of Union minister Narayan Rane over his remark against Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray was justified, but his custodial interrogation is not needed, a court at Mahad observed while granting bail to the 69-year-old late on Tuesday.

“Considering the reason for arrest and other reasons, I found that the arrest is justified,” magistrate SS Patil said in the order, a detailed copy of which was made available on Wednesday.

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 from Ratnagiri district following his remarks that he wanted to slap the chief minister for allegedly confusing the number of years since India got independence during the latter’s August 15 address.

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 ₹15,000. He was directed to appear at the office of superintendent of police in Alibaug (Raigad) on August 30 and September 13.

Meanwhile, the Bombay high court on Wednesday adjourned till September 17, the hearing of Rane’s plea for quashing of cases filed against him, after the Maharashtra government said it would not take any “coercive action” in connection with a FIR registered in Nashik.