PTI
 
Mumbai, Mar 22: Maharashtra PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Wednesday formally withdrew the defamation case he had filed against his one-time opponent and now cabinet-colleague Narayan Rane by making a joint application.

The two had reached an out-of-court settlement over the issue last week, after which Additional Sessions Judge Abhay Thipsay asked Bhujbal and Rane to file a joint application for withdrawal of proceedings.

Both of them were present in the court.

Bhujbal, the then Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader, had filed a case against Rane in 2000 after the latter alleged that the residence of Bhujbal had become a den of ISI agents.

Rane, at that time, was in Shiv Sena. After joining Congress last year, he joined Bhujbal in state cabinet as a revenue minister.

Rane made The remarks after meeting bomb blast accused with Bhujbal at the former deputy chief minister’s residence. The accused, who were out on bail, had urged the minister to expedite the trial.

Bhujbal had claimed that Rane’s allegations were baseless and aimed to malign his image. He then initiated criminal proceedings against Rane in Mazgaon sessions court.