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Maharashtra BJP minister Nitesh Rane jailed for one month for mud-pouring on NHAI staff
A Maharashtra court convicted BJP minister Nitesh Rane in a 2019 case for pouring mud on an NHAI engineer during a protest about road conditions, sentencing him to one month in jail. The sentence was suspended to allow an appeal, and 29 other accused were acquitted. The incident occurred on July 4, 2019, during a protest over the Mumbai-Goa highway works.
Why It Matters
The case involves a public official being subjected to an act of humiliation during a protest, and the court emphasized that such acts undermine public servants’ dignity and duties. The verdict underscores accountability and the boundary between protest and abuse of power.
Timeline
4 Events
April 27, 2026 – Suspension of sentence pending appeal
April 27, 2026
The court suspended Rane's one-month jail sentence, allowing him time to appeal before a higher court.
April 27, 2026 – Verdict delivered; Rane convicted and others acquitted
April 27, 2026
The court found Rane guilty of assaulting a public servant and deterring them from performing their official duties under IPC section 504, while acquitting the other accused of these offences. He was sentenced to one month in jail, with the sentence later suspended to allow an appeal; 29 other accused were acquitted.
July 4, 2019 – Mud incident at Gad river bridge, Kankavli
July 4, 2019
Nitesh Rane called the NHAI Sub-Divisional Engineer to a bridge over the Gad river in Kankavli to inspect widening work on the Mumbai-Goa highway. During the protest over poor road conditions, Rane and his supporters poured muddy water on the engineer and forced him to walk through slush in public.
2019 – Charges filed against Rane and 29 others
2019
Rane and 29 others were charged under various offences, including rioting, assault to deter a public servant, and criminal conspiracy.