HC allows Kangana Ranaut to include Sanjay Raut in her plea against BMC

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday permitted actor Kangana Ranaut to include Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut and an officer as a party in her plea against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's demolition of illegal constructions and alterations in her office in a bungalow in Pali Hill in Bandra.

A division bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Justice SJ Kathawala and Justice RI Chagla allowed Raut, the chief spokesperson of Shiv Sena and a Rajya Sabha member and Bhagyavant Late, the Ward Officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to be included in her plea.

The petition is likely to be heard on Wednesday.

Kangana has moved the Bombay High Court seeking directions from the court to declare the demolition of her office as illegal. She had also sought Rs two crore as damages from the BMC.

Kangana’s counsel Birendra Saraf submitted a DVD containing a speech in which Raut allegedly made a comment threatening the actress. Justice Kathawalla pointed out that if the actress is going to rely on the DVD, then Raut should be given a chance to respond.

"What if he (Raut) says that he has not made these statements or that this DVD is fabricated? You have to give him an opportunity to respond," the bench said.

At Saraf’s request, Late was also made a party in the plea as the civic official had issued all communications related to the notice of illegal construction and demolition.