[Somaiya vs Raut] Magistrate Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Sanjay Raut, Cancels After Shiv Sena MP Rushes To Court

Judge PI Mokahsi of the Mumbai Magistrate Court had issued a Non Bailable Warrant on Friday against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut for his non-appearance in the defamation case registered against him by BJP Leader Kirit Somaiya’s wife Medha Somaiya.

The said Non-Bailable Warrant was, however, canceled by the Judge when Raut’s lawyer got in touch with him and appeared before the court.

Advocate Sunny Jain for Raut had moved an exemption application for non-appearance which was opposed by the lawyers of Medha Somaiya arguing that Raut had never appeared before the Trial Court.

In July 2021, the court had issued a warrant against Raut. However, Raut got the warrant canceled after appearing before in charge of the court because the trial court was on leave.

Subsequently, in August 2022, Raut appeared before the court through video conferencing from jail as he was arrested in the Patra Chawl Scam. Raut had pleaded before the court as not guilty.

Judge PI Mokashi rejected Raut’s application for exemption from non-appearance and issued a non-bailable warrant against him. However, Advocate Sunny Jain contacted Raut and he immediately appeared before the court and got the warrant canceled.

Medha Somaiya, wife of BJP Leader Kirit Somaiya, in her complaint alleged that Raut had made baseless, false, defamatory allegations against her and her husband alleging that both of them were involved in the 100 crore construction of public toilet scam at Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation. She has prayed for action under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.