Hanuman Chalisa Row: Court Reserves Order On Bail Of Rana Couple Till Monday

However, the court has decided to deliver its verdict on the bail plea of MP Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi Rana on Monday, May 2, 2022.

Amravati MP Navneet Kaur Rana with husband MLA Ravi Rana. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: The bail applications of Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi Rana were heard at Mumbai Session Court on Saturday. However, the court has decided to deliver its verdict on Monday, May 2, 2022, news agency ANI reported.

The Mumbai Police detained them last Saturday after they called for a recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree,' the private mansion of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Speaking on behalf of Ranas, lawyer Abad Ponda stated that while mere purpose to commit a crime cannot be penalised, executing some intent and actually committing an offence may.

The lawyer stated that if the couple had called for people to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside a mosque, he could understand how that may have stoked religious tensions, but calling for people to chant it outside Matoshree does not cause any communal strife.

"Had we given a call to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside a mosque, I can understand that it could have fanned religious tensions but giving a call to chant it outside Matoshree doesn't fan any communal tension," he said, news agency ANI reported.

Had we given a call to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside a mosque, I can understand that it could have fanned religious tensions but giving a call to chant it outside Matoshree doesn't fan any communal tension: Advocate Abad Ponda, while representing the Rana couple

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2022

Quoting the Supreme Court's order in a case about sedition, lawyer Abad Ponda said, "Criticism of government is the essence of democracy. In fact, democracy is a criticism of the govt."

While representing the police, SPP Pradeep Gharat said, "This couple is booked in several cases. We have mentioned these criminal antecedents in our reply as well. MLA Ravi Rana has been booked in 17 cases earlier & MP Navneet Rana in 6 cases. An attempt to murder charge is on Ravi Rana."

"If someone says that chanting Hanuman Chalisa is their right, it is. But we've to see if the act is legal, permissions & consent are taken by the person at whose residence chanting will be done... the ultimate aim was to create a situation where this govt collapses," he added.

If someone says that chanting Hanuman Chalisa is their right, it is. But we've to see if the act is legal, permissions & consent are taken by the person at whose residence chanting will be done... ultimate aim was to create a situation where this govt collapses:SPP Pradeep Gharat

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2022

Navneet and her husband have been charged with sedition and 'creating animosity amongst various communities.' They were first accused of 'promoting hostility,' but the police eventually added a charge of sedition.

They were brought before a judge and sentenced to 14 days in judicial custody. On Friday, a magistrate's court in Mumbai denied their request for home meals in prison.

Rana's lawyer, Merchant, stated earlier this week that the Khar Police first charged his clients under Indian Penal Code Section 153. (A). However, during their arrest, the police notified them that they had added the allegation of sedition under IPC Section 124A to the original FIR.

According to a police statement, a complaint has been filed at Khar Police Station against MLA Ravi Rana and MP Navneet Kaur Rana under sections 153(A), 34, IPC r/w 37(1) 135 Bombay Police Act. "Both are apprehended at their home in Khar. Khar Police Station is conducting more investigations "It had stated.

(With ANI Inputs)