National desk
26 September
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
A Mumbai court on Thursday sentenced Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut to 15 days simple imprisonment in a defamation case filed by Medha Somaiya, the wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya. The Metropolitan Magistrate convicted Raut under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with punishment for defamation. Along with the jail term, Raut has been fined Rs 25,000.
The case stems from allegations made by Medha Somaiya, who claimed that Raut made baseless and insulting remarks against her and her husband. According to her complaint, filed through lawyer Vivekananda Gupta, Raut accused the Somaiyas of involvement in a Rs 100 crore scam related to the construction and maintenance of public toilets under the Mira Bhaider Municipal Corporation’s jurisdiction.
Raut’s allegations were deemed defamatory by the court, leading to his conviction. The court’s decision is seen as a significant ruling in the ongoing legal battle between political figures from opposing parties.