Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange Over 2013 Cheating Case

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 24th July. A court in Jalna on Tuesday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Manoj Jarange, a prominent Maratha quota activist, in connection with a 2013 cheating case. Jarange, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since July 20 demanding Maratha quota, failed to appear before the court for the scheduled hearing, prompting the NBW.

Jarange had previously appeared before the court on May 31, following an earlier NBW, which was then canceled with a penalty of Rs 500 imposed on him. His lawyer, Harshad Nimbalkar, stated, “A hearing was scheduled today before the judicial magistrate, but Jarange could not be present due to his hunger strike. We will ensure his appearance and seek the cancellation of the NBW.”

The case, originally filed in 2013 under sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code, involves allegations that Jarange and two others had approached a complainant for six shows in 2012, offering Rs 30 lakh for the performances. While Rs 16 lakh was paid, disputes over the remaining amount led to the complaint and subsequent legal action.

Nimbalkar further explained that while Jarange had secured anticipatory bail in 2013, no summons were issued until January 2024, when the court took cognizance of the case and issued two summonses.