Slap Uddhav' remark: Union Minister Narayan Rane arrested in Ratnagiri

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Narayan Rane was arrested on Tuesday after sparking off a row over his remarks about slapping Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for what he claimed as the latter's ignorance of the year of India's independence, news agency PTI reported.

Rane was taken into custody by police in coastal Ratnagiri district, where he is travelling as part of the Jan Ashirwad Yatra. He was taken to the Sangameshwar police station after being taken into custody. Cyber Police Station, Nashik has registered an FIR under IPC sections 500, 505(2), 153 (B)1(C) against Rane.

Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court has refused to hear Rane's bail application. Rane's lawyer said that they will approach the court on Wednesday seeking relief.

There were reports that the BJP leader complained of high blood pressure and sugar levels and a doctor was called to examine him.

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Earlier today, a Ratnagiri court had rejected Rane's anticipatory bail plea. Rane later moved to the Bombay High Court, seeking protection from arrest.

A total of 42 FIRs have been registered against Narayan Rane's Jan Ashirwad Yatra till now. On third day of his yatra, atleast 6 FIRs were resistered at Vasai-Virar city under Sections 341, 269, 270 and Pandemic Act. Cases are registered in Manikpur, Tulinj, Kashimira, Waliv, Vasai and Virar Police Stations. According to reports, permission for his yatra wasn't granted.

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Rane, who was recently inducted into the Union cabinet, had sparked off a row over his remarks about slapping Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, for what he claimed as the latter's ignorance of the year of India's independence. "It is shameful that the chief minister does not know the year of independence. He leaned back to enquire about the count of years of independence during his speech. Had I been there, I would have given (him) a tight slap,” he had said.

Earlier today, Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey issued orders for the immediate arrest of Rane after an FIR was registered against him in the north Maharashtra city over his remarks against Uddhav. Accordingly, a team of Nashik Police left in the morning for Ratnagiri district. Meanwhile, heavy police security was deployed outside Rane's residence in Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena on its part demanded that Narayan Rane should be sacked. "We have complained about Narayan Rane with the Prime Minister. He should sack such ministers. Rane used to be a butcher and used to black-market tickets outside cinema halls. Still, he is having the same mindset," Vinayak Raut, Leader of Shiv Sena in Lok Sabha, said.