Navneet Rana and Ravi Rana, couples who are members of the Lok Sabha, were arrested on April 23 because they announced they were going to recite “Hanuman Chalisa” outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s private residence, Matoshree, in suburban Bandra. Since they are actively involved in public and political life, they are expected to act more responsibly, and with great power comes great responsibility, said the bench. They were finally granted bail by a special court on Wednesday.Â
The court consented to grant bail to the Rana couple on the guarantee of a Rs 50,000 bail bond each. It instructed them not to interfere with investigations or influence observers, not to speak with the media, and not to commit an offense while on bail.Â
The attorney for the Ranas, Mr. Rizwan Merchant, expressed his satisfaction with the bail order. and mentions how, in the end, justice prevails. He also asked the media not to talk about Navneet Rana and her partner, Ravi, in the ongoing case.Â
Khar police registered an offense against the Rana couple for promoting enmity between two groups and added the charge of sedition against them after they declared their intention to chant. They were booked under various sections of the IPC and were sent for 14 days of judicial custody by the Khar Court.Â
“The petitioner has disclosed that they could recite religious versus outside the house of another person.” “Such a type of declaration is certainly in breach of the personal liberty of the other person and therefore the state is justified in carrying an apprehension that such actions will lead to disturbances in law and order situations,” said the bench.Â
In the interim, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sent a notification to the Rana couple over unlawful development at their home in Khar in Mumbai.Â
Quoting the notice, it mentions, “I hereby give you notice that on the day 04/05/2022, thereafter anytime according to the provisions of the last-named section, I shall enter with assistants or workmen into or upon the premises no. 8th floor, Lavie, plot No-412, CTS NO-E/249, 14th Road, Khar West, Mumbai-52… to inspect the said premises, taking photos and measurements.”Â
Edited By: Khushi Thakur
Published By: Mohammed Anees
