MUMBAI, APRIL 11: The State Government today filed criminal complaints against leaders of opposition, Narayan Rane of the Shiv Sena and Nitin Gadkari of the BJP, for making various ``false, misleading and malicious allegations'' against deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who is also the home minister of the State.Principal Judge A S Aguiar of the Sessions Court has issued process for the complaint and posted the matter for hearing on June 21, 2000. Meanwhile, the court will also issue formal summons to the two leaders for appearing in court when the matter is heard.The complaint was filed by the public prosecutor, D G Paranjpe in the sessions court where he brought to the court's notice articles in Saamna', the Shiv Sena mouthpiece, where it was alleged that those accused in the 1993 bomb blasts ``were visiting the home minister's bungalow''. There were other articles also quoting Narayan Rane saying that the Mantralaya has become ``the rest house for wanted anti-social elements of the ISI''.The complaint says that at a press conference held by Rane, and a press release issued by Gadkari, allegations were made by them which were contrary to the truth and with ulterior motive to defame Bhujbal. Apart from the fact that the allegations were false, offensive and indecent, the allegations were of libellous nature with the intention of causing harm to the character and reputation of the deputy chief minister.The offences against the two opposition leaders are under section 500 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, where if convicted the maximum sentence is of two years simple imprisonment and a fine. The complaint though, is compoundable, in that it can be withdrawn if felt so by the complainant.While the State Government had earlier thought of filing proceedings even against Shiv Sena chief Thackeray and Saamna editor, Sanjay Raut, in the end no steps were taken against them. Meanwhile, since the two leaders are members of the State legislature, the state needed prior sanction to prosecute them. This sanction was obtained on April 10, 2000 by order no MIS-02/2000/10/spl 1A.
