Actor Ketaki Chitale arrested for ‘objectionable’ post on NCP chief

THANE: Marathi actor Ketaki Chitale and another man were arrested on Saturday for putting ‘objectionable’ posts on social media against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. Chitale, who has acted in Marathi serials, had shared a Marathi verse written by advocate Nitin Bhave on her Facebook page. The verse allegedly made personal attacks on Pawar’s health and his demeanour.

She was arrested by the Kalamboli police from her residence near DY Patil College. A separate team has been formed to locate Bhave. Following the post, a resident from Kalwa, Swapnil Netake, filed a complaint. “We have filed a defamation case against Ketaki Chitale under IPC sections 505(2), 500, 501. Further, the case was handed over to the Thane crime branch for investigation,” said M Awhad, senior police inspector, Kalwa police station.

Thane Crime Branch unit 1, senior police inspector, A Deshmukh, said, “We have arrested her from her residence near Nerul-kalmboli area after which the procedure was done in the Kalamboli police station and brought her here. We are also looking for Bhave, who wrote the original poem.”

A second case was also registered in Naupada police station based on a complaint filed by Thane city NCP president, Anand Paranjape, against a Nikhil Bhamre who allegedly posted similar derogatory comments against Pawar.

He was arrested in the Nashik district, an official from Naupada police confirmed.

NCP minister Jitendra Awhad on social media thanked Thane, Navi Mumbai and Nashik police for prompt arrests.

Sharad Pawar avoided commenting on the issue and said he was not aware of any such actress and her social media posts.

Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister and nephew of Sharad Pawar said, “This is nothing but mental deformity and she urgently needs to be treated at a mental hospital. This is not our culture and everybody should keep conscience while speaking about public figures.”

MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who has staunchly attacked Pawar during his recent rallies, came to his defence saying, “This has no place in Maharashtra’s culture. We have differences with them [Pawar] and will remain in future, but it would not stoop to this level. This is not the mindset but a mental sickness which needs to be checked at the appropriate time.”