Sanjay Raut gets bail hours after conviction in defamation case

According to reports, Somaiya had moved the court in 2023 claiming that Raut made baseless and defamatory allegation that she and her husband were involved in a Rs 100 crore scam (Image: X)

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has been granted bail, hours after a Mumbai court on September 26 sentenced  him to 15 days simple imprisonment in a defamation case on a complaint filed by Medha Somaiya, wife of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya.

The metropolitan magistrate (Sewree court) convicted the Rajya Sabha member under Indian Penal Code Section 500 (punishment for defamation) and also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on him, according to a PTI report.

The court later suspended the sentence for 30 days and granted bail to the Rajya Sabha member on his application for the same, the report added.

Somaiya had reportedly moved the court in 2023 claiming that Raut made baseless and defamatory allegation that she and her husband were involved in a Rs 100 crore scam related to the construction and maintenance of public toilets in Mira Bhayander area near Mumbai.

Medha had sought registration of a case against Raut under Indian Penal Code section 499 (criminal defamation).

"The statements made by the accused to the media are per se defamatory. The statements have been made to malign my character in the eyes of the general public," the complaint had stated.