MUMBAI: A magistrate’s court on Thursday convicted MP Sanjay Raut and sentenced him to 15 days simple imprisonment in a defamation case filed by professor Medha Kirit Somaiya, wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya.
Medha’s lawyer Vivekanand Gupta said that Rs 25000 fine is to be recovered from accused as compensation.
In her complaint, Medha submitted that Raut is the Executive Editor of Marathi Newspaper ‘SAMNA’ and was also the chief spokesperson of the political party Shiv Sena.She alleged that on April 15, 2022 and thereafter he made malicious and unwarranted statements against her and it was printed, published and circulated in the general public at large through electronic and print media.
Medha further alleged that these statements made by Raut were telecast on leading electronic media channels and social media which were derogatory and defamatory. She said this was done to tarnish her image in the eyes of general public and amongst all her family members and friends.
In court, Medha’s lawyer submitted a video clip and statements made by Raut. Also produced were copies of newspaper cuttings.
In her plea, Medha also submitted that she was a professor of Organic Chemistry for more than 20 years at Ramnarian Ruia College, Matunga. She further said that she has been contributing in more than 25 charitable activities and was awarded a “Doctorate” in Slum Development. “She has an excellent reputation in the society and she is known in the educational and social field in the society,” her plea said.
In June 2022, in a detailed order issuing summons to Raut, the court had held that it is “prima facie” proved by the complainant that the words spoken by accused Raut were such that, it has harmed her reputation. “The documents and video clips produced on record prima facie revealed that the accused made defamatory statements against the complainant on April 15 and 16, 2022 so that it will be seen by public at large and read by the public in the newspapers,” metropolitan magistrate PI Mokashi had said.