Overview
- A Thane magistrate has directed Uddhav Thackeray to appear on August 5 and Eknath Shinde on August 6 to record their statements under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
- Section 313 allows the judge to put evidence to the accused and ask them to explain any circumstances appearing against them as part of the routine steps after the prosecution completes its case.
- The complaint stems from a 2009 Kalyan Lok Sabha campaign rally where a video allegedly showing late NCP leader Vasant Davkhare was screened and later claimed to be doctored to harm his reputation.
- Advocate Nagesh Kamble represents the late Davkhare’s side while advocate Jayesh Vani is appearing for the accused, and the case is moving ahead despite the complainant’s death and changes in party alignments.
- The court action brings a long‑running legal matter back into active procedure and could force public answers from two leaders whose political split in 2022 reshaped Maharashtra’s party landscape.