A court in Maharashtra has sentenced Nitesh Rane to one month in jail in connection with a 2019 “mud attack” case involving a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) engineer, marking a significant development in a long-pending legal matter.

The verdict was delivered by a court in Sindhudurg district, where Rane was convicted for his role in the incident that took place during a protest over poor road conditions on the Mumbai-Goa highway. The case dates back to July 2019, when Rane and his समर्थक allegedly confronted an NHAI engineer and poured mud on him in public, an act that drew widespread criticism.

According to court findings, Rane was part of a group accused of offences including rioting, assault on a public servant, and criminal conspiracy. However, the court acquitted all accused of the more serious charges due to insufficient evidence. Rane was ultimately convicted under provisions related to intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace.

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The court sentenced him to one month of imprisonment, while also underscoring that elected representatives are expected to uphold the law rather than take matters into their own hands. The judgment has been viewed as a reminder of legal accountability for public officials, regardless of political position.

In a key development, the sentence has been suspended temporarily, giving Rane the opportunity to challenge the ruling in a higher court. His legal team is expected to file an appeal, arguing that the conviction warrants reconsideration.

The case had attracted significant attention at the time of the incident, with visuals of the assault circulating widely and sparking debate over political conduct and protest methods. The latest ruling brings partial closure to the matter, though the legal process may continue depending on the outcome of the appeal.

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