Shiv Sena leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut summoned in defamation case

Mumbai: A magistrate's court in Mumbai has issued summons to Shiv Sena leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut in response to a complaint filed by Rahul Shewale, a leader of the rival Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde.

The summons was issued on Monday by Metropolitan Magistrate SB Kale, who directed Thackeray and Raut to appear before the court on July 14.

Rahul Shewale, who belongs to the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, has accused Thackeray and Raut of publishing defamatory articles against him in the Marathi and Hindi editions of the party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. The complaint alleges that the articles, with the headline 'Rahul Shewale has a hotel, real estate business in Karachi', were aimed at damaging Shewale's reputation and political career.

The complaint, filed through advocate Chitra Salunke, asserts that the articles are baseless and malicious. "The complainant strongly refuted all the allegations made in the said articles and categorically stated that this is merely a feeble attempt to damage the reputation and political career of the complainant by levelling false accusations against him to malign his image before the public at large." According to the complaint, the articles in question are a "concocted story" lacking any merit and represent an example of "vendetta journalism."

Uddhav Thackeray, the former chief minister of Maharashtra, serves as the chief editor of 'Saamana' and Sanjay Raut holds the position of executive editor.

The upcoming court appearance will provide an opportunity for both parties to present their arguments and evidence in relation to the alleged defamatory articles published in 'Saamana'.