Marathi Rapper Rajesh Mungase Booked For 'Defamatory Song' Against Eknath Shinde Govt Gets Protection From Arrest Till April 25

A Kalyan Court granted Marathi rapper Rajesh Mungase protection from arrest till April 25 for an alleged defamatory song against Eknath Shinde led Maharashtra government.

Additional Sessions Judge RG Waghmare sought a reply from Maharashtra Police on Mungase’s anticipatory bail application.

Snehal Kamble, a member of Yuvasena Core Committee filed a complaint at Shivaji Nagar police station alleging that Mungase's song is defamatory towards the BJP-Shivsena government.

A FIR was registered against him under sections 501 (Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), 504 (intentional insult with intention to provoke breach of peace) and 505(2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the IPC.

Thus, he filed the present anticipatory bail application contending that the FIR was against his fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

In his anticipatory bail application, Mungase has claimed that he raised his voice against injustice to common people through his video. He said that he did not target anyone specific and was raising pertinent social issues through the video.

According to the application, the allegations are vague and meant to harass him. Further, the complaint has been filed with the sole intention to stifle the voice of the upcoming rapper who spoke against the government, the application contends.

According to the application, the complainant herself criticized the government in a tweet but no action was taken against her. Further, she did not have any locus to file the complaint and no former complaint was filed by anyone from the government.

Case no. – Cri. Bail Appln./0000612/2023

Case Title – Rajesh Bhikchand Mungase v. Shivaji Nagar Police Station