Kalyan Court acquits Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde in 17-year-old defamation case

Uddhav Thackeray (R) and Eknath Shinde (L). File | Photo Credit: PTI Kalyan District and Sessions Court Judge Santosh Aage on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) acquitted Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Anand Paranjape and Rajendra Devlekar in a case of defamation that Vasant Davkhare filed 17 years ago. The court cited lack of evidence.The court held that records, testimony and statements did not support the charges. It noted gaps in the investigation and in sequence of events, as per the proceedings and advocates.Vasant Davkhare was the NCP candidate from the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat in 2009. Anand Paranjape was the Shiv Sena candidate. Mr. Paranjape won. During the campaign, a meeting took place. Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde and Anand Paranjape showed recordings of sound and images about Davkhare to people through television, as per a complaint.Rajendra Devlekar organised the meeting. Mr. Devlekar was a corporator from Kalyan with the Shiv Sena. He died. After the election, Mr. Davkhare filed a suit against Mr. Thackeray, Mr. Shinde, Mr. Paranjape and Mr. Devlekar. He said the meeting defamed him.The case remained in Kalyan court for 17 years. It came up for hearing before judgment on Wednesday. Anand Paranjape attended. Advocate Jayesh Wani argued for Uddhav Thackeray. Wani is the spokesperson of Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray.Testimony of witnesses, twenty in number, was recorded. These included party workers, office bearers, police officers at the venue, police, organisers and officers who investigated. The process under Section 313 against leaders was completed. A month before, Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray recorded statements before the court through the system for conferencing by video. Thackeray denied allegations.During the hearing, the side for the accused raised questions about the recording, printout, lab report and investigation. It said the accused had no connection with case of CD and that evidence was not available. The court examined the aspects and acquitted the accused because evidence was not there and because the sequence had gaps and additions, according to the defence.Adv. Jayesh Wani said the case of defamation was filed with vendetta in politics. The purpose was to gain in elections. Witnesses in this case did not speak to facts. Records showed testimony was taken before the incident. The sequence of events in this crime did not match records and had no basis. Therefore, the court acquitted Mr. Thackeray. Truth has won.Anand Paranjape said Vasant Davkhare filed this case of defamation on charges related to politics. We have always respected Vasant Davkhare. We will continue to do so. Mr. Davkhare filed a criminal case in this matter after his defeat. There were no facts in this case. We have now got justice. Published - September 24, 2026 01:08 pm IST