Court sentences Sanjay Raut to 15-day jail in defamation case
What's the story
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has been convicted by a metropolitan magistrate court in Mumbai's Mazgaon in a defamation case. The case was filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya's wife, Medha Kirit Somaiya. The court sentenced the Rajya Sabha MP to 15 days imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹25,000 under Section 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Scam allegations
Allegations of scam lead to defamation case
The defamation case stemmed from Raut's allegations that Somaiya and his wife were involved in a ₹100 crore scam. This purported scam was related to the construction and maintenance of public toilets under the jurisdiction of Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation. In response to these accusations, Medha filed a defamation case against Raut, labeling his claims as "baseless and defamatory."
Legal action
Medha Somaiya's response to Raut's allegations
Medha stated in her complaint that Raut's statements were made to tarnish her reputation in the eyes of the public. She said, "The statements have been made to malign my character in the eyes of the general public." The court has now ruled in her favor, convicting Raut for defamation and sentencing him accordingly.