Vishwajeet takes on Parrikar Jr Rane demands unconditional apology for defamation BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 10 - In what could turn out to be a major politico-legal war, Vishwajeet Rane, son of Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane appears set to take Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar head-on. Through Mumbai-based leading lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani's office, Vishwajeet has slammed a legal notice on Parrikar asking him to render an unconditional apology for the allegations made by him at a press conference here last week, legal sources told Herald. Besides alleging that Vishwajeet has become 'extra-constitutional authority', Parrikar had alleged that he was interfering in matters of recruitment and that the chief minister and his son had manipulated police machinery to imprison certain persons of Saleli for 30 days. The legal notice has warned Parrikar that if he fails to apologise, Vishwajeet would initiate civil and criminal proceedings against him. The counsel said that Parrikar's sole purpose of holding the press conference seemed to resurrect his dwindling political fortunes by launching a false, defamatory and malicious attack on Vishwajeet and his father. He further said that his client is in the possession of the recording of the press conference and the statements made by Parrikar were per se defamatory. The press conference was intended to get wide publicity in the media, the counsel stated adding that Parrikar's allegations were intended to defame Vishwajeet and to lower his reputation. Parrikar is liable to be prosecuted for the offence of criminal defamation punishable under section 500 of IPC, the legal notice said. Vishwajeet when contacted said "my conscience is clear, hence I am taking legal action and I have full faith in the legal system of the country." Regarding his course of action, he said, he would go by the advice of Adv Jethmalani and the panel of lawyers. He however said that the baseless allegations made by Parrikar have only made him work for welfare of the people of Sattari with more enthusiasm and vigour.
