Balasaheb helped Amit Shah get bail, claims Sanjay Raut in his book ‘Narkatla Swarg’ | Mumbai News
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday evening launched his book ‘Narkatla Swarg’ (‘Heaven in Hell’) which makes a claim about the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray providing “assistance” in procuring bail for Amit Shah, then a Gujarat MLA, by speaking to the judge and a CBI officer in an encounter case. The book has also claimed that Sharad Pawar, during his tenure as UPA minister, opposed plans to arrest Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat CM, after the 2002 Godhra riots.The book was launched in the presence of UBT Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, and lyricist Javed Akhtar. State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule in Nagpur said, “I have not read the book, but was sent some excerpts. Sanjay Raut has apparently made some controversial statements regarding the judicial process. This is a very serious issue and must be investigated.” He said, “Modiji got SC’s clean chit in the Godhra case and Shah’s arrest was a political one. Raut is morally bankrupt and is doing it for political gains.” Uddhav addressed the audience, saying, “If I am asked if Shah came to our house asking for help, I will say I don’t remember, because whatever kindness is done, it should not be talked about.”Uddhav discussed the Centre’s “misuse” of agencies against opposition leaders, citing the earlier arrests of his ex-home minister Anil Deshmukh, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. Thackeray suggested states should receive authority to investigate cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (like ED), indicating that through this, the state can also act against the Central govt.Dy CM Eknath Shinde responded sharply on Friday evening to claims in the book, stating that his former party colleague had no right to talk about Modi and Shah who were standing by their Hindutva ideology.
