"Don't Deserve Countenance" – Bombay High Court Dismisses Woman's Pleas Seeking Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's Arrest in 3 FIRs

The petitioner, Swapna Patker alleged that she was harassed and stalked at Raut and her husband's behest.

The petitioner had sought directions to the Mumbai Police for a proper investigation into the three FIRs she had filed in 2013 and 2018 against unknown persons and to initiate action against the Deputy Police Commissioner (DCP), Zone VIII.

On Wednesday, a division bench of Justices S S Shinde and Justice N J Jamadar refused to interfere in the three petitions and asked Patekar, to pursue reliefs before the Metropolitan Magistrate.

However, the court expedited the matter before the Magistrates, asking them to hear Patekar and dispose of the case as expeditiously as possible.

"… don't deserve countenance," the bench said about her prayers for Raut's arrest.

In her plea, the petitioner alleged that the DCP did not follow the National Commission for Women's directions to register an FIR against the MP and the others who directly or indirectly "connived" with Raut to harass her.

It may be noted that after she filed the petitions against Raut earlier this year, she was arrested for allegedly practicing at a hospital using a fake degree before being removed from the post. However, the Bombay High Court recently granted her interim bail in her plea to quash the graver offences against her.

During the final arguments, Chief Public Prosecutor Aruna Pai informed the court that a charge sheet had been filed in one of Patekar's complaints and an 'A' summary report in two others.

"We can only expedite the proceedings [before the Magistrate]. Everyone should have faith in the law," the bench said pointing out that a protest petition could be filed before the Magistrate.

However, Advocate Abha Singh, representing the petitioner orally sought for the case to be transferred to the CBI. It is impossible to believe when the Mumbai police say (through A summary) that she was harassed, but they cannot find the culprits, Singh submitted.

Senior Advocate Prasad Dhakephalkar, appearing for Raut, raised preliminary objections to the petition and stated that the woman, who was like a daughter to Raut, was only accusing him because she thought that he was siding with her husband in their marital dispute.

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