Thane Police on Saturday arrested Marathi actor Ketaki Chitale. A case was registered against her for allegedly sharing a ‘derogatory’ post. It was about NCP president Sharad Pawar on social media platforms.
The post in Marathi, shared by her on Friday, purportedly, someone else has written it. It mentioned the surname Pawar and the age of 80. The content piece contained phrases like “hell is waiting” and “you hate Brahmins”, allegedly referring to Pawar. As a matter of fact, the party shares power in Maharashtra with the Shiv Sena and Congress currently.
The crime branch of the Thane Police arrested Chitale (29) from Navi Mumbai. “The Kalwa police station in Thane registered the offence against Chitale on Saturday. The case was based on a complaint lodged by Swapnil Netke,” a police official had said.
In Pune too, an NCP worker filed a complaint and a case against her. On Saturday evening, workers of NCP’s women wing threw black ink and eggs at Chitale. The incidence took place outside Kalamboli police station in Navi Mumbai.
The Charges
- Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 500 (defamation),
- 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory)
- 505 (2) (making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes)
- 153 A (spreading disharmony among people)
In Dhule also, a case was registered against Chitale and Nitin Bhave. Nitin Bhave is the purported author of the controversial post shared by the actress. It was under similar sections of the IPC. It is including section 34 (common intention), on a complaint lodged by an NCP leader.
Meanwhile, when asked by reporters in Nanded about the episode, Pawar said he didn’t know Chitale. He also had no idea about what she has allegedly posted about him on social media. “I don’t know the person and also have no idea about what you are saying (about the actress’s post),” he said responding to a query.
The NCP chief told reporters that he didn’t know about it. He indeed asked a reporter, “What has she done? What was her complaint (about him)? “The veteran leader further said it would not be right for him to comment on the issue until he learns what the actress had done.