30 July,2026 03:49 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde. File Pic
A magistrate's court in Maharashtra's Thane district has directed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to appear before it next week to record their statements in connection with a 17-year-old criminal defamation case filed by late Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Vasant Davkhare.
According to a court official, Thackeray has been asked to appear on August 5, while Shinde has been directed to appear on August 6. The proceedings are part of the examination of the accused under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which enables a court to question an accused person regarding the evidence presented against them.
The court official said the recording of statements is a standard legal procedure carried out after the prosecution presents its evidence.
Section 313 of the CrPC allows the judge to directly question the accused so they can explain any circumstances or evidence appearing against them. The provision is intended to ensure a fair trial by giving the accused an opportunity to respond before the case proceeds further.
The defamation complaint arises from the 2009 Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra's Kalyan constituency, where the undivided Shiv Sena fielded Anand Paranjpe against NCP candidate Vasant Davkhare.
During the election campaign, Uddhav Thackeray, who was then the executive president of the undivided Shiv Sena, addressed a public rally in Dombivli in support of Paranjpe.
According to the complaint, a controversial video allegedly featuring Davkhare was screened during the rally.
The video purportedly showed Davkhare asking party workers to ensure victory in the election and not be intimidated by the police or election officials.
Following the rally, Davkhare filed a criminal defamation complaint against Thackeray, Shinde, Paranjpe and several others, alleging that the video had been edited and manipulated to damage his public image ahead of the polls.
He claimed the alleged doctored video was circulated with the intention of influencing voters and defaming him during the election campaign.
At the time, the Shiv Sena maintained that the video was authentic and denied allegations of manipulation. The party had also sought action against Davkhare and lodged a complaint with election authorities over the contents of the video.
Anand Paranjpe later went on to win the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat in the 2009 election.
According to court officials, advocate Nagesh Kamble is representing the late Davkhare, while advocate Jayesh Vani is appearing on behalf of the accused.
The case has continued despite significant political changes in Maharashtra over the past 17 years.
In 2022, the Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena split following a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde. Shinde now heads the Shiv Sena, which is part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, while Uddhav Thackeray leads the rival Shiv Sena (UBT). The Shiv Sena and the NCP, the party to which the late Vasant Davkhare belonged, are currently allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state government.
The matter will now proceed with the recording of statements from both Thackeray and Shinde before the magistrate's court on the scheduled dates.
(With inputs from PTI)
