Ketaki Chitale shares ordeal after arrest over FB post against Pawar, says 'I was unlawfully jailed'

Marathi actor Ketaki Chitale, who was jailed for allegedly posting a defamatory and derogatory poem against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, opened up on the issues faced during her time in police custody.

According to India Today report, Ketaki said she was molested and hit in police custody.

Chitale on treatment in custody:

"I was unlawfully picked up from my house, unlawfully put behind bars without any arrest warrant and notice. But I knew I hadn't done anything illegal. I was true, so I could face it," Chitale said.

Further she revealed, "I was molested, hit and beaten. There was a toxic black colour under the guise of ink thrown at me while I was in police custody."

"I came out with a smile because I was relieved. But I am out on bail. The battle is still going on," Chitale said, adding that she is not free yet. She further stated she has only received bail in only one of the 22 FIRs registered against her.

Ketaki on her social media post:

Speaking on the post that landed her in jail, Chitale said that people interpreted it as Sharad Pawar when the post only mentioned a certain Pawar.

"I did not insult anyone through my post, people interpreted it that way. People who interpreted it that way, are they accepting that Sharad Pawar is like that? If he is not, then why did they file an FIR against me?" she asked.

About the case:

Chitale was arrested by the Thane police on May 14 for sharing a post on Facebook that alluded to and allegedly contained defamatory comments against Pawar.

The offence was registered under section 505 (2) (statements conducting to public mischief), 500 (defamation), 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc).

The 29-year-old actor is currently facing over 20 FIRs based on the said Facebook post. She had earlier approached the high court seeking a stay on the investigation in these cases. The hearing on her previous plea is pending in the court.