Anticipatory bail denied, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane moves top court

New Delhi, January 25

Maharashtra BJP MLA Nitesh Rane has moved the Supreme Court (SC) challenging the January 17 Bombay High Court order rejecting his anticipatory bail plea in an attempt to murder case.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Tuesday agreed to hear his petition after Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi alleged on his behalf that it was a case of political rivalry.

“Upon being mentioned by Mukul Rohatgi, senior counsel for the petitioner, we deem it appropriate to direct the Registry to list the matter for January 27 before an appropriate Bench,” the top court said in its order. Rane is accused of being the mastermind behind the attempt on the life of a Shiv Sena member on December 18 last year in the Kankavli area of Maharashtra. The Sindhudurg Sessions Court and the Bombay High Court had rejected his anticipatory bail plea. The Maharashtra Government had assured that no coercive action would be taken till January 27 in order to enable him to approach the SC. —