'Slap Uddhav' remark: Rane fails to appear before Mahad Crime Branch, cites ill-health

Union Minister Narayan Rane, entangled in a case over 'slap Uddhav' remark, was to appear before the local crime branch (LCB) office today as per the Mahad court order but failed to turn up with Rane's lawyer Mahesh Mohit citing the minister's ill-health

Mumbai: Union Minister Narayan Rane, entangled in a case over 'slap Uddhav' remark, was to appear before the local crime branch (LCB) office today as per the Mahad court order but failed to turn up with Rane's lawyer Mahesh Mohit citing the minister's ill-health.

Advocate Mahesh said that Rane was to appear before LCB between 11 to 11: 30 am today in connection with the investigation, as per Mahad court's order while granting bail. Rane could not able to travel due to the deterioration of his health last night. His lawyer was asked to inform the concerned officer.

Meanwhile, Rane has been summoned to Delhi by the BJP top brass as Rane was expected to visit Mahad's crime branch. Even after his controversial remarks, Rane during his resumed 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra' in a veiled warning to the ruling Shiv Sena said that he knew a lot of things about the party and its leaders and would bring out cases "step by step".

Maharashtra High Court will hear Rane's petition on September 17 and the court said no action will be sought against Rane till September 17. Rane was granted bail by the magistrate court in Mahad in Raigad district after his arrest on August 24.

The 69-year-old minister claimed that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray forgot the year of independence during his Independence day address and had to check with his aide in the middle of his speech. The controversial remark was made by Rane during a public meeting on August 23 during "Jan Aashirwad Yatra".

Maharashtra witnessed clashes between Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party supporters after Rane's remarks.