New Delhi: 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:
Aug 25, 2021 00:05 (IST)
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.
Aug 24, 2021 23:21 (IST)
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.
Aug 24, 2021 22:35 (IST)
Mahad Police have sought 7-day custody of arrested Union minister Narayan Rane.
Aug 24, 2021 21:36 (IST)
Narayan Rane is being taken to the court. He will be produced before the judge shortly
Aug 24, 2021 21:35 (IST)
"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.
Aug 24, 2021 21:16 (IST)
"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.
Aug 24, 2021 20:40 (IST)
Narayan Rane reaches Mahad Police Station
