Ranas get bail in Hanuman Chalisa row

Ravi Rana and Navneet Rana during a press conference at La-vie, Khar. File pic

A Sessions court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to Independent MP Navneet Kaur and her MLA husband Ravi Rana, who were arrested on sedition and other charges for threatening to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside the chief minister's residence. The conditions of their bail state that they are not allowed to speak to the media regarding the case, and the court has asked them to not indulge in similar activities.

While arguing for the couple's bail, senior Advocate Rizwan Merchant said chanting of hanuman chalisa outside the CM's residence cannot be called an act to promote feelings of enmity between two communities, and doesn't fall under sedition. Advocate Pradeep Gharat, who is representing the state in the case, opposed the bail plea saying this was a big plot to challenge the government. The Ranas weren't released from jail on Wednesday, as bail formalities couldn't be completed. Their legal team will reach out to Taloja and Byculla women prisons after completing the formalities.

Khar police arrested the couple on April 23. The high court also observed that Mumbai police's action was justified and responsible people should behave responsibly.