In a significant development, Sessions Court in Kolhapur has ordered three days of police custody for journalist Prashant Koratkar following accusations of making derogatory remarks about the revered 17th-century Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and his son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji. The arrest was made in Telangana on Monday, and Koratkar was subsequently brought to Maharashtra for legal proceedings.
The case against Koratkar was initiated on February 26, based on an audio recording of a conversation between him and a Kolhapur-based historian, Indrajeet Sawant. This recording, which was later circulated on social media by Sawant, sparked widespread public outrage due to its content.
The First Information Report (FIR) against the journalist was filed under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, accusing him of promoting hatred or enmity between different groups. This legal action highlights the sensitivity of remarks pertaining to historical figures in India, particularly those like Shivaji Maharaj, who hold a profound place in the cultural and historical identity of the region.
Additional sessions judge D.V. Kashyap, who presided over the hearing on March 18, had previously denied Koratkar’s plea for anticipatory bail. In his bail application, Koratkar had contended that his phone was compromised and that the controversial audio was doctored. He also noted that he had issued a public apology in an attempt to mitigate the situation.
