3 weeks ago
Shinde Records Video Statement in 17-Year-Old Defamation Case
A long time ago, in 2009, there was an election in India.
At a public meeting, a video disc was shown about a man named Vasant Davkhare.
Mr. Davkhare said the video was mean and untrue, so he went to court.
He accused four people of saying bad things about him.
Two of those people were famous leaders named Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray.
The court case has been going on for almost 17 years.
Sadly, Mr. Davkhare passed away, but the case continued.
Last week, the leaders gave their answers to the judge.
Mr. Shinde talked to the court through a video call instead of going in person.
The judge will hear the final arguments on August 24 and then decide the case.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recorded his statement via video conferencing before a Kalyan court in a 17-year-old criminal defamation case.
The case stems from a CD allegedly containing defamatory material about then NCP candidate Vasant Davkhare, played at a public meeting in Kolsewadi during the 2009 Lok Sabha election campaign.
The four accused are Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde, Anand Paranjpe, and Ramakant Deolekar; Thackeray recorded his statement on August 5 via video conferencing while Paranjpe and Deolekar appeared in person.
All the accused denied the allegations and maintained that the complaint was filed with a political motive, with Shinde contending the prosecution was initiated because they were political opponents of the complainant.
The court has scheduled final arguments for August 24, after which the matter is expected to proceed to judgment.
Judicial Magistrate Santosh Agre reportedly put 32 questions to the accused during the examination process.
- Who
- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Uddhav Thackeray, Anand Paranjpe, and Ramakant Deolekar, in a case initiated by the late NCP candidate Vasant Davkhare.
- What
- Eknath Shinde recorded his statement via video conferencing as the 17-year-old criminal defamation case neared its final arguments.
- Where
- Kalyan, Maharashtra, before a Kalyan court.
- When
- Statements were recorded on August 5 and 6, 2026; the case dates back to the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and final arguments are set for August 24.
- Why
- Davkhare alleged that a CD played during the 2009 election campaign contained defamatory material that tarnished his reputation.
Accused's Defence
Complainant's Claim
Political Motive vs. Defamation
Accused's Defence
The accused denied all allegations and maintained the complaint was filed with a political motive, arguing the prosecution was initiated because they were political opponents of the complainant.
Complainant's Claim
Vasant Davkhare claimed the contents of the CD tarnished his reputation and filed the criminal defamation complaint on that basis.
Key facts
- Case Type
- Criminal defamation case, pending nearly 17 years
- Court
- Kalyan court, Maharashtra
- Judicial Magistrate
- Santosh Agre
- Complainant
- Vasant Davkhare (deceased), then NCP candidate from Kalyan
- Accused
- Eknath Shinde, Uddhav Thackeray, Anand Paranjpe, Ramakant Deolekar
- Origin
- 2009 Lok Sabha election campaign, public meeting in Kolsewadi area
- Statement Recording Dates
- August 5 and 6, 2026
- Final Arguments
- August 24, 2026
Quotes
Advocate Ashok Jagdale
Counsel for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
“The court has fixed August 24 for final arguments”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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