Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut was granted bail on Thursday following a conviction in a defamation case brought by Medha Somaiya, wife of former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya. The Sewree magistrate court in Mumbai sentenced Raut to 15 days of simple imprisonment under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code for defamation. However, the court suspended his sentence for 30 days, allowing him the chance to appeal in higher courts.
In addition to the jail term, Raut was fined ₹25,000. After the ruling, his lawyer filed two pleas for the suspension of the sentence and bail, which the court granted upon a bond of ₹15,000.
Medha Somaiya’s complaint, represented by advocate Vivekanand Gupta, alleged that Raut made unfounded and defamatory claims against her and her husband. She accused Raut of alleging their involvement in a ₹100 crore scam related to the construction and maintenance of public toilets under the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation.
The complaint stated that Raut, as the Executive Editor of ‘SAMNA’ and chief spokesperson for Shiv Sena, made malicious statements against her on April 15, 2022, which were widely circulated in both print and electronic media. Medha Somaiya argued that these statements were not only derogatory but also aimed at damaging her reputation in society.
In court, Medha’s lawyer emphasized her esteemed reputation in the educational and social fields, presenting various statements made by Raut along with supporting video clips and newspaper articles to substantiate the claims of defamation.
