Won't take coercive action against MLA Nitesh Rane: Maharashtra government to Bombay High Court

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday assured the Bombay High Court that it will not take any coercive action against Nitesh Rane, a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) and son of Union Minister Narayan Rane in an attempt to murder case [Nitesh Rane & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra & Anr.]. .The statement was made during the hearing of the plea filed by Rane seeking anticipatory bail after he was accused of being the main conspirator behind the attempt to murder incident which allegedly took place on December 18, 2021 in the Kankavli region of Maharashtra.Rane had moved the Court seeking interim protection from coercive action. .Advocate Niteen Pradhan appearing for Rane, submitted that he has been co-operating with the investigation and had even appeared for recording of statement as and when called upon.He submitted that two days after Rane had already appeared for interrogation, he was informed about the possibility of his arrest. After this, he approached the Sindhudurg District Court with a plea for pre-arrest bail, which was rejected by the court. "If they want time, that is fine. But let my efforts to approach the High Court not be infructuous," Pradhan argued. .Special Public Prosecutor Sudeep Pasbola informed the Court that there was evidence against Rane to show that he was the main conspirator and he prayed for time to place that on record. He added that when Rane was called for interrogation, only his name was mentioned in the complaint. However, after the prosecution arrested a close confidante of Rane and his statement was recorded, Rane made himself scarce. "They are not traceable, but they are so influential because of which we are not able to record statements of other witnesses," Pasbola said. .Justice CV Bhadang informed both lawyers that the plea will be decided only after hearing both sides on merits. However, in view of the fact that the State wanted to file a reply, the Court inquired if any arrangement can be made for the next 2-3 days. On instructions of the officer in his chamber, Pasbola informed the Court that the police will not take any coercive action against Rane till the next hearing on this application. "In any case, even if we want to, we are not able to trace him," Pasbola said on a lighter note..Justice Bhadang granted leave to State to file a reply. State undertook to serve a copy of the same to Rane by Wednesday. The matter will be heard again on Friday. .In his plea seeking anticipatory bail, Rane has alleged that the case against him was registered with the sole aim of preventing his participation in the Sindhudurg Co-operative Bank District elections that were to be held on December 30, 2021.The plea said that Rane had allegedly mocked Shiv Sena minister Aaditya Thackeray, which could be the reason for the case against him.Rane submitted that he has been falsely implicated in the case under pressure from political parties.There was no evidence on the spot or within the vicinity of the spot, and no direct involvement of the applicant in the assault, he contended.