BJP MLA Nitesh Rane Granted Bail In Attempt To Murder Case Seven Days After Arrest

Rane was initially remanded in police custody for two days, following which he was sent in judicial custody for 14 days after which he sought to be released on bail. A detailed order is yet to be made available.

Principal Sessions Judge SV Hande granted bail to Rane for an amount of Rs 30,000 with one solvent surety in the like amount. The court has set certain conditions on him while he is out on bail, which include – not to contact the victim or witnesses and not tamper with evidence till conclusion of trial and attend the concerned police station every Monday till filing of charge sheet or whenever required by the Investigation Officer. Breach of any conditions will make him liable for cancellation of bail.

Rane, along with six others, has been accused of charges under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy) read with 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code. Around Rs 1 to 1.50 lakh was allegedly paid to execute the crime.

According to the complainant Santosh Parab, who is a contractor by profession and a member of Shiv Sena Party of the ruling alliance, while traveling on his bike on December 18, 2021, he was hit from behind by an Innova car without a registration number plate around 11am. He fell down and the bike fell on him and he was dragged to a distance of about 15 ft because of which he sustained injuries to his right hand.

Then a person came out of the Innova car and asked him if he was working for Satish Sawant, a local Shiv Sena party leader, and assaulted him on the right side of his chest using a paper cutter. The assailants then said that the incident should be informed to Gotya Sawant and Nitesh Rane, after which one of them made a call to someone and then fled in the car.

Five accused were arrested on different dates the same month and investigations eventually led the police to the sixth accused, Sachin Satpute from Delhi on December 26, 2021, who allegedly revealed Rane's role in the case. According to the prosecution, the conspiracy was hatched between Rane and Satpute on August 28, 2021 in a meeting inside a vanity van. Rane is alleged to have told Satpute that Parab was spreading misunderstanding amongst his followers about Rane and his family and therefore he should be taught a lesson. Satpute the "assigned the job" to co-accused Dheeraj Jadhao, after which co-accused Dnyaneshwar alias Mauli gave effect to the crime by hiring the other accused.

A Sessions Court in Sindhudurg had rejected his anticipatory bail application kin December last year, after which he approached the Bombay High Court, where too his application was rejected. Later, the Supreme Court also refused grant him any relief except giving him time to surrender.