The Ranas’ home has been cited for “illegal construction.” BMC says 

The BMC used Section 488 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, to send a summons to the couple who were recently detained over the Hanuman Chalisa case. 

The BMC has issued a notice to Navneet and Ravi Rana, MP-MLAs from Maharashtra, for “illegal construction” at their property in Khar, Mumbai. An order was made under Section 488 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, which allows inspectors to look at any structure and see if there have been any illegal changes made to it. 

While they are still in prison, BMC inspectors have issued an inspection notice on their door. The designated officer stated that he would visit the premises at any moment on May 4, 2022, to investigate, take photos, and measure. When the MP’s lawyer wrote to the superintendent of Byculla Jail, he or she told him or her that the jailed politician had spondylosis because they were forced to sit and sleep on the floor. 

The lawyer argued that Navneet needed a CT scan so that physicians could examine her health, but the prison officials refused her request. He said that if Rana’s condition got worse because of a late diagnosis, the prison authorities would be held responsible. 

The couple was charged with sedition, fostering hostility, and assaulting a public officer. Navneet was arrested on April 23, 2022, at Khar Police Station. The next day, she was sent to Byculla Women’s Prison. It was on April 24, 2022, that the Holiday and Sunday court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, Bandra, ordered the couple to stay away from each other for 14 days. 

On April 23, 2022, the Mumbai Police charged them with assault and illegal force under Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code. The Ranas had petitioned the Bombay High Court to invalidate the second FIR. On Monday, the division bench of Justices PB Varale and SM Modak rejected this petition, requesting the police to provide 72 hours’ notice before conducting any forceful action.  

The state’s Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi ministry said the Ranas acted on behalf of the BJP. A group of people from the Shiv Sena protested outside of the Rana family’s home after two MPs from Amravati said they planned to shout “Hanuman Chalisa” outside the home of the state’s chief minister. 

Published By – Chirag Agrawal

Edited By – Aakash Kanti Khuman