Post Against Sharad Pawar: Marathi Actor Ketaki Chital Moves Application In Bombay HC To Make NCP Supremo Party To Her Quashing Plea

Marathi film actor Ketaki Chitale has filed an application in Bombay High Court to make Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar a party-respondent to her plea seeking quashing of 22 FIRs registered against her for a Facebook post. Chitale was arrested on May 14, after she shared the post allegedly written by one advocate Nitin Bhave that refers to an "80-year-old man Pawar" and calls him a "mosquito" who "hates Brahmins." She was arrested on the basis of an FIR filed by Swapnil Netke, a local NCP functionary, in Thane district's Kalwa police station. She was granted bail after approaching the High Court to quash the cases against her. Chitale claims that Pawar is a public figure and most of the first informants are either his close aides or associated with him directly and/or indirectly. “Therefore Mr. Sharad Pawar is a proper and necessary party to the proceedings of this petition,” the plea read. Therefore, while examining the question as to whether FIRs are tenable in the absence of any grievance from Sharad Pawar, she asked if it would be just and fair to implead Sharad Pawar as a party respondent to the petition. “Admittedly Mr. Sharad Pawar is in public field and most of the first informants are either his close aides or associated with him directly and/or indirectly. There are several averments in the petition that are relevant with reference to role of the political party of which Mr. Sharad Pawar is a supremo,” the plea read. Chitale has further claimed the Pawar would be of “assistance in deciding the larger controversy involved in the petition” and there would be no harm and prejudice to anyone. On the contrary the same would meet the interest of justice” she added. Allegations in the FIR related to a deliberate attempt to defame Pawar, intentionally indulging in an act of creating hate between two groups and hurting the sentiments of NCP workers. A total of over 22 FIRs have been lodged against her at different places making similar allegations – mostly by local NCP members.

Post Against Sharad Pawar: Marathi Actor Ketaki Chital Moves Application In Bombay HC To Make NCP Supremo Party To Her Quashing Plea

Sharmeen Hakim

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