'Objectionable' post on NCP chief: Marathi actor Ketaki Chitale sent to cop custody till May 18

THANE: A court on Sunday remanded Marathi actor Ketaki Chitale in police custody till May 18, a day after her arrest for allegedly sharing an objectionable post about NCP chief Sharad Pawar on her social media account.
Chitale (34), who lives in Navi Mumbai, was produced before the holiday court under heavy security following alerts of NCP activists staging protests against her. Police managed to dodge the protesters and sneak her in and out of the court through a back door.
Chitale represented herself in court though she was offered a lawyer, said a police officer present in the courtroom. She is learnt to have asked the court whether or not she has the right to express herself on a public platform.
"The holiday court remanded her in police custody till May 18. We will analyse her social media posts and will also probe if she was instigated by anyone to upload the matter. We will also try to track the person in whose name the post was first uploaded," said Laxmikant Patil, deputy commissioner of police (crime), Thane. Police are also investigating her previous social media posts. "Chitale has a similar case registered against her at Rabale police station in 2020," said inspector Krishna Kokani, Thane crime branch unit-1.
A police officer said during her questioning after arrest, Chitale didn't seem remorseful and maintained that she would not delete the controversial post. It has been lear-nt she insisted on being given a saffron colour saree after her clothes were apparently stained by ink following a protest in Navi Mumbai.
Several NCP activists, who gathered outside the court premises, have threatened to file complaints against Chitale at police stations across the state. In fact, a Goregaon police team was present in court to seek her custody. City NCP president Anand Paranjape said, "Everyone has the right to express themselves, but making such derogatory remarks is not justified. Our activists are upset and angry... and will file complaints across the state and ensure Chitale gets to do 'Maharashtra darshan'."
It has been learnt that NCP minister Jitendra Awhad approach-ed home minister Dilip Walse Patil late on Saturday to ensure stern action against those who post or share derogatory messages.