Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde acquitted in 2009 defamation case

A court in Kalyan on Wednesday acquitted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and former MP Anand Paranjpe in a criminal defamation case stemming from a campaign rally during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

The court also acquitted former corporator Rajendra Deolekar, who has since died.

Judge Santosh Age of the Kalyan District Court acquitted all the accused, citing insufficient evidence and significant inconsistencies and gaps in the investigation.

The complaint was filed by late Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Vasant Davkhare after the 2009 election in which Paranjpe was pitted against him.

During a campaign rally organised by Deolekar in Kalyan, Shiv Sena leaders played audio and video recordings containing references to Davkhare. Paranjpe went on to win the election.

Davkhare subsequently filed a criminal defamation complaint, alleging that the recordings played at the rally had maligned his reputation.

During the prolonged trial, the court recorded statements of 20 witnesses, including political leaders and police personnel deployed at the venue.

Defence lawyers questioned the authenticity of the recordings produced by the prosecution and argued that there was no direct link between the accused and the material played at the rally.

The court, taking note of inconsistencies and gaps in the investigation, concluded that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the case and ordered the acquittal of all the accused.

Last month, both Thackeray and Shinde appeared before the court through video conference to record their statements and denied the allegations against them.

The case continued even as the political landscape changed, with the erstwhile Shiv Sena and NCP subsequently splitting. Shinde now heads the rival Shiv Sena, while Davkhare's son Niranjan Davkhare is with the BJP.

Paranjpe, who later left the Shiv Sena for the NCP and subsequently returned to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, was present in court when the verdict was pronounced.

"This defamation case stemmed from political allegations. We have always had immense respect for the late Vasant Davkhare and will continue to do so. He filed this suit following his election defeat, but the case lacked factual basis. Justice has finally been done," he told reporters.

Advocate Jayesh Wani, who represented Thackeray, also welcomed the verdict.