Hanuman Chalisa Row: MP Navneet Rana, Her MLA Husband Ravi Rana To Be Produced Before Court Today

The arrests were made after Navneet Rana and Ravi Rana had earlier said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra CM's private residence ‘Matoshree’ but later cancelled it.

New Delhi: MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana will be produced before a Magistrate Court on Sunday following their arrest on Saturday from their Khar residence after they cancelled recitation of Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s private residence ‘Matoshree’, reported news agency IANS. 

The couple was booked under the Indian Penal Code section 153 (A) (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), and section 135 of the Mumbai Police Act (violation of prohibitory orders of police), PTI had reported. 

The arrests were made amid high voltage drama after the couple had earlier said that they would recite Hanuman Chalisa outside ‘Matoshree’ but later cancelled it saying that they do not want to create any law and order situation ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Mumbai. 

READ HERE: Rana Couple Arrested By Mumbai Police After 'Hanuman Chalisa' Dare To CM Uddhav Thackeray

The Rana couple submitted a counter complaint against Chief Minister Thackeray, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, and Sena leader and state transport minister, Anil Parab accusing them of instigating people to ‘kill’ the couple. No such case has been registered yet, said the police, reported PTI. 

Speaking in Nagpur, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, said that the way Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government handled the entire episode was "very childish".

"If allowed, the Rana couple would have gone there (Matoshree), recited Hanuman Chalisa and returned without creating any news. I don't understand why so many people had gathered at several places as if they (Rana couple) were planning some attack. What kind of politics is this?" the former chief minister said, quoted by PTI. 

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also came in defence of Navneet and Rana and said that he will meet them in Khar Police Station. “Let's see who stops me. Those who were protesting at Navneet Rana's place today are not Shiv Sainiks, they are goons. The end of this govt has come, people here will expose the scam,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Navneet and Ravi’s lawyer, Rizwan Merchant termed the arrest of both the independent legislators as “illegal”.

"The offence is available. The arrest is illegal and unconstitutional as both of them are public servants - MP and MLA. The Speaker's permission should have been taken before arresting them, but no permission was taken. As per Supreme Court, a notice of section 41A should be given within 14 days prior to the institution of the case, which was not given," said Rizwan, quoted by ANI.