Narayan Rane joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet in July (File)
Union minister Narayan Rane, arrested on Tuesday over his remarks about slapping Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for what he called Mr Thackeray's "ignorance of the year India won Independence", has been granted bail by a court in Maharashtra's Mahad.
Mr Rane was taken into custody by police in coastal Ratnagiri district, where he is travelling as part of the Jan Ashirwad Yatra, an official said.
Mr Rane, who joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet in July as Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, is the first Union Minister to be arrested in 20 years.
Mr Rane had claimed Mr Thackeray forgot the year of independence during his August 15 address and had to check with his aides 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 said in the public meeting at Raigad.
Here are the LIVE updates on Narayan Rane's Arrest:
Narayan Rane Granted Bail On Surety Of Rs 15,000: Minister's Lawyer To NDTV
Narayan Rane will have to appear before the police on August 31 and September 13. The Union Minister has been granted bail on a surety of Rs 15,000. If a voice sample is needed, the minister will have to be given a notice seven days in advance, Narayan Rane's lawyer Rajendra Shirodkar told NDTV.
Union Minister Narayan Rane Gets Bail
Narayan Rane has been granted bail by the court in Mahad. His lawyer cited Mr Rane's health conditions and that Mr Rane is an Union Minister in the bail plea. Notice was not given before Narayan Rane was arrested and whatever sections were imposed were politically motivated sections, his lawyer further argued.
Narayan Rane's wife Neelam Rane reaches Mahad Court
Will Oppose Arrest, Seek Bail: Narayan Rane's Lawyer Aniket NikamNarayan Rane's lawyer Aniket Nikam said they will be opposing the arrest and seeking bail. The police had failed to follow due process of law before arresting Mr Rane, Mr Nikam said, reported news agency PTI.
"A notice has to be issued under section 41A of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) before arresting someone in cases where custodial interrogation is not required," Aniket Nikam said.
Mahad Police have sought 7-day custody of arrested Union minister Narayan Rane.
Narayan Rane is being taken to the court. He will be produced before the judge shortly
"Don't Support Narayan Rane's Remarks But ...": Maharashtra BJP Chief
"I don't support Narayan Rane's statement. But if he's arrested or arrest warrant is issued against him for remarks against Chief Minister, what's happening to their leaders who comment against Governor, a constitutional functionary, almost daily?" Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil told news agency ANI.
"Won't Be Cowed Down By Such Actions": BJP Chief JP Nadda After Narayan Rane's Arrest
"Maharashtra government's decision to arrest Narayan Rane against constitutional values," news agency PTI quoted BJP chief JP Nadda as saying. "We won't be cowed down by such actions," Mr Nadda added.
Narayan Rane reaches Mahad Police Station
'Follow Process, Don't Make Us Do Registry's Job': Court To Narayan RaneUnion Minister Narayan Rane was arrested shortly after a court refused his request for an urgent hearing of his petition to cancel the FIRs against him over his comments on slapping Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Mr Rane had challenged FIRs or First Information Reports against him in at least three cities and had sought protection from arrest. He had also asked the Bombay High Court to pass an interim order to protect him from any action.
BJP Slams Minister Narayan Rane's Arrest
The BJP distanced itself from Narayan Rane's controversial remarks about slapping Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, but at the same time backed the Union Minister today.
While party chief JP Nadda said the minister's arrest was a "violation of constitutional values", the state's leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis spoke of "Taliban-like governance".
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Watch: Union Minister Narayan Rane Was Arrested While Having A MealUnion Minister Narayan Rane was arrested today over his comment on slapping Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for what he called his "ignorance of the year India won Independence". Mr Rane was arrested while he was having a meal. A crowd of supporters is seen trying to shield him.
Union Minister Narayan Rane Was Arrested While Having A Meal
BJP President JP Nadda on Mr Rane's arrest: "The arrest of Union Minister Narayan Rane ji by the Maharashtra government is a violation of constitutional values. We will neither be scared nor suppressed by such action. These people are troubled by the immense support the BJP is getting in the Jan-Aashirvad Yatra. We will continue to fight democratically, the journey will continue".
Narayan Rane should resign, says Sena MP
Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut on Tuesday demanded that BJP leader Narayan Rane should "show some respect for the Constitution" and step down as Union minister after being arrested, PTI reported.