Overview

• Sanjay Raut’s complaint alleges Narayan Rane made defamatory, false remarks about him during the Konkan Festival in Bhandup on January 15, 2023.
• The case invokes IPC Sections 499 and 500, with the Mazgaon magistrate taking cognisance and issuing a summons in April 2025.
• Rane challenged the summons before the special MP/MLA court, arguing lack of damages, political speech protection and non-application of mind.
• The special court rejected his plea, terming the statements vague and unsubstantiated, and finding them prima facie false and publicly made.
• The special court noted Raut’s documentary evidence, including a 2002 voters’ list extract confirming his registration, which Rane did not dispute.