Thread by @barandbench

[Allegations of corruption in allotment of #ShivSena party name and symbol]

#DelhiHighCourt is hearing Shiv Sena leader Rahul Ramesh Shewale's defamation suit against Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut.

@OfficeofUT @AUThackeray @rautsanjay61

Raut had alleged that there was a deal of ₹2,000 crore following which the Shiv Sena party name and bow and arrow symbol was allotted to the Eknath Shinde faction.
#defamation #ShivSena #UddhavThackeray #SanjayRaut #AadityaThackeray

In the last hearing, the High Court had refused to pass any ex parte orders and issues summons and notices to Thackerays and Raut.

Read the detailed story on the previous hearing here:
barandbench.com/news/delhi-hig…

Justice Prateek Jalan is hearing the suit.

Court is informed that Raut and Thackerays have filed their replies.

Sr Advocate Rajiv Nayar appears for Shewale.

Sr Adv Devdatt Kamat for Thackerays: This is suit by a political party. This is unheard in common law. A political party is suing for defamation. It would mean that in a democracy there can't be any criticism.

Court: We will certainly have regard to the free speech.
Kamat: I will show that the government was toppled by illegal means.

Court: Is the speech over?

Nayar: The Bar and Bench is watching.

Court: I am not concerned about who is watching.

Court says it will not be able to hear the case today but will give a short date.

Court lists the case for hearing on May 9.

Order: List before the Joint Registrar on may 15. List before court on May 10.

*Correction. Sr Adv Devadatt Kamat appeared for Sanjay Raut. Advocate Naman Joshi appeared for Aaditya Thackeray and Advocate Nishanth Patil represented Uddhav Thackeray.