Nagpur Court Recalls Arrest Warrant Against Former Maharashtra Minister Ranjit Deshmukh
A joint civil judge in Nagpur on Friday cancelled a non-bailable arrest warrant (NBW) that had been issued earlier against former Maharashtra minister and senior Congress leader Ranjit Deshmukh. The warrant was related to a cheque dishonour case, and the court's decision came after accepting defence arguments regarding Deshmukh's permanent exemption from personal appearance.
Defence Argument Based on Age and Health Exemption
Deshmukh's legal counsel, advocates Mohammed Ateeque and Atul Nabira, successfully argued before the court that their client had been granted permanent exemption from personal appearance back in 2020. This exemption was specifically granted considering Deshmukh's advanced age and ongoing medical conditions that affect his ability to attend court proceedings regularly.
The defence team contended that the application seeking the arrest warrant had "misled the court despite this factual position" regarding the permanent exemption. After careful consideration of these submissions, the court decided to recall the non-bailable warrant that had been issued against the former minister.
Background of the Cheque Dishonour Case
The legal complaint was originally filed by Atul Devgade through his counsel, Ibrahim Bakhsh. According to the complaint, directors of Percept Web Solution had purchased computer equipment, internet services, and web-related materials from Devgade and subsequently issued five cheques totaling approximately ₹11.50 lakh as payment.
None of these cheques were honoured when presented for payment, leading to the legal dispute. Despite repeated follow-up attempts and the issuance of a formal legal notice, the payment issues remained unresolved, prompting Devgade to approach the court seeking appropriate legal action against those responsible.
Company Directors and Previous Legal Proceedings
According to the complaint documentation, Ranjit Deshmukh, along with Pallavi Parekh and Amit Dhupe, served as directors of Percept Web Solution at the time of the disputed transaction. All three accused individuals had previously secured bail in this matter, indicating the case had been progressing through standard legal channels.
However, during the pre-trial procedural stage, the complainant's counsel alleged that the accused were not present before the court as required by legal protocol. This allegation led to the request for issuance of a non-bailable warrant, which the court initially granted before Friday's cancellation based on the defence's exemption argument.
The case highlights the intersection of business disputes and political figures in Maharashtra, with the court's decision emphasizing the importance of proper documentation and legal procedure in such matters. The cancellation of the warrant represents a significant development in this ongoing legal proceeding involving the former state minister.
