Union minister Narayan Rane gets bail at midnight after arrest over 'slap Uddhav' remark

Mumbai: Union Cabinet minister Narayan Rane, 69, arrested on Tuesday after a Ratnagiri court refused him transit pre-arrest bail in FIRs over his 'slap' remark against CM Uddhav Thackeray, was granted bail by a Mahad magistrate minutes before midnight.

He was granted bail hours later after he cited his health and argued that he was arrested without proper notice on "politically motivated" charges.

"Satyamev Jayate," Mr Rane tweeted after getting bail.

The Union Minister's lawyer said he will have to appear before the police on August 31 and September 13. The lawyer said if his voice sample is needed for police investigation, a notice will be given seven days in advance. "He has also been told not to do such a thing in future," the lawyer said.

The minister was arrested while he was having his meal, shortly after the Bombay High Court rejected his request for an urgent hearing on his petition for protection against action.

The Chief Minister's Shiv Sena had filed several cases against Mr Rane over his remarks on Monday at a "Jan Ashirwad Yatra" organised nationwide by the BJP. He claimed Mr Thackeray forgot the year of independence during his August 15 address and had to check with his aide mid-speech.

"It is shameful that the Chief Minister does not know the year of independence. He leaned back to ask about the count of years of independence during his speech. Had I been there, I would have given him a tight slap," Mr Rane had said at a public meeting.

The comments sparked Shiv Sena protests and FIRs were filed in three cities listing offences ranging from threatening a public servant to criminal intimidation and breach of peace.