Pune Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Maratha Activist Jarange

A court issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday. This action is linked to a 2013 cheating case, according to his lawyer. Jarange did not appear in court, prompting the issuance of the NBW.

Jarange has been on an indefinite hunger strike since July 20 in his village in Jalna district, advocating for the Maratha quota. His lawyer, Harshad Nimbalkar, explained that Jarange was unable to attend the hearing due to his ongoing hunger strike.

Background of the Case

In 2013, a case was registered against Jarange and two others under Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust). The charges stemmed from a dispute over payment for six shows of "Shambhuraje" in Jalna district.

Jarange and his co-accused had approached the complainant in 2012, offering Rs 30 lakh for the shows. While Rs 16 lakh was paid, disagreements arose over the remaining amount, leading to a complaint and subsequent legal action.

Legal Proceedings

Jarange had previously secured anticipatory bail in 2013. Despite this, no summons were issued to him until the court took cognisance of the case in January 2024. Since then, two summons have been issued, according to Nimbalkar.

On May 31, Jarange appeared before the court after an NBW was issued against him. The court cancelled the NBW but imposed a Rs 500 penalty on him. However, he failed to appear for the latest hearing due to his hunger strike.

Next Steps

Nimbalkar stated that efforts would be made to have Jarange appear before the court and get the NBW cancelled. "We will have him appear before the court and get the NBW cancelled," Nimbalkar added.

The court had ordered police to register a case following the complaint about unpaid dues for the "Shambhuraje" shows. The police subsequently filed a chargesheet against Jarange and his co-accused.

The judicial magistrate scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, but Jarange's absence led to the issuance of another NBW. His lawyer cited his ongoing hunger strike as the reason for his non-appearance.

The case continues to unfold as Jarange remains committed to his hunger strike over the Maratha quota demand. The legal proceedings are expected to progress once he is able to attend court sessions.