Cheating Case: Pune Court Issues NBW against Maratha Quota Activist Manoj Jarange

A Pune Court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange in connection with a 2013 cheating case after he failed to appear before it, according to his lawyer.

Jarange, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike over the quota demand since July 20 at his village in Jalna district, had previously appeared before the court on May 31 after an NBW was issued against him. The court cancelled the NBW but imposed a penalty of Rs 500 on him.

Advocate Harshad Nimbalkar, representing Jarange, stated, “A hearing was scheduled today before the judicial magistrate in the case, but as Jarange is currently on hunger strike, he could not be present. We will have him appear before the court and get the NBW cancelled.”

In 2013, a case under Indian Penal Code section 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) was registered against Jarange and two others. The charges stem from an incident in 2012, when Jarange and his co-accused approached the complainant, who stages plays on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, for six shows of “Shambhuraje” in Jalna district and offered him Rs 30 lakh. Although Rs 16 lakh was paid, a dispute arose over the remaining amount, leading to the complaint. The court subsequently ordered the police to register a case.

Nimbalkar further explained, “Jarange had secured anticipatory (pre-arrest) bail in the case in 2013. The police filed a chargesheet, but no summons was issued to Jarange. The court took cognisance of the case in January 2024 and issued two summons to him.”