Pune/Mumbai: Senior NCP leader and former minister Dhananjay Munde, a prominent OBC face in Maharashtra politics, has received significant relief from the Beed district court in a case involving a marital dispute. The court rejected a petition seeking the cancellation of his nomination papers due to insufficient evidence.
The petition was filed by Karuna Sharma Munde, who claimed to be Munde’s wife and alleged that he had concealed crucial information in his 2024 assembly election nomination forms. The Parli Vaijnath court, presided over by Judicial Magistrate Deepak Borde, concluded that Munde did not hide any facts with the intention of influencing the election outcome. “The complainant has failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. The allegedly concealed facts were not intended to secure electoral victory, nor did they affect the election results,” the court stated, dismissing Karuna Munde’s criminal complaint.
The relief comes at a crucial time for Munde, who is reportedly seeking a return to the Fadnavis government, where a ministerial post from the NCP quota has become vacant following the resignation of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate.
No Legal Proof of Marriage
The court dismissed Karuna Munde’s complaint primarily because she could not provide legal proof of marriage. While she claimed to have married Munde in 1996 and had two children with him, she failed to submit any legal documents such as a marriage registration certificate to substantiate her claim. The court noted that other documents, including Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, passport, will, and insurance policies, do not serve as sufficient legal proof of marriage.
Background of the Dispute
Karuna Munde had initiated legal action under Sections 125(A) and 33(A)(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, alleging discrepancies in Munde’s 2024 nomination forms, including non-disclosure of her name, assets, and pending legal cases, such as a domestic violence case in the Bombay High Court. The court observed inconsistencies in her claims regarding the year of marriage.
Munde stated in court that he legally married Rajshri Munde in 2001 and has consistently declared her details in all election affidavits since 2013. He acknowledged a consensual relationship with Karuna Munde, resulting in two children, but clarified that she was aware of his legal marriage, and their relationship deteriorated in 2020. The court concluded that Munde did not conceal information to gain electoral advantage, making further proceedings unnecessary.
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