"I Will Surrender" – BJP MLA Nitesh Rane Withdraws Bail Plea Before Bombay High Court

Justice Sarang Kotwal disposed of the petition as withdrawn. Advocate Satish Maneshinde submitted that "in view of what has happened yesterday in Sindhudurg court, bail applicant intends to surrender before investigating officer during the course of day and bail plea be allowed to withdrawn."

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.

On January 27, the Supreme Court disposed of Rane's anticipatory bail plea and directed him to surrender and seek regular bail. The SC protected him against arrest for 10 days.

Yesterday, the sessions court not only rejected the application calling it 'premature' and therefore not maintainable, but also made a few observations on the merits of the case and said that Rane's custodial interrogation was necessary.

"Two accused are still absconding. There is possibility of economic dealing/exchange of money. Therefore, for effective investigation of the offence the custodial interrogation of the applicant is necessary. Furthermore, 11 criminal cases are shown to be registered against the applicant including offence against public servants. Therefore, considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the incomplete investigation, the custodial interrogation of the applicant is necessary," the judge observed."

The Case and Investigation

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

After this, one 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 Parab using a paper cutter on the right side of his chest. The said assailants then allegedly said that the incident should be informed to Gotya Sawant and Nitesh Rane, after which he 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.