Toll booth vandalism case: Nitesh Rane, 3 others freed on bail

PANAJI: Maharashtra Minister Narayan Rane's son Nitesh, who was arrested along with his supporters for allegedly vandalising a toll booth and attacking its staffers near here, has been released on bail.

Judicial magistrate first class Mapusa granted bail to Nitesh and three others, who were released late last night.

Pernem police had arrested nine people, including Nitesh, last evening. While the court granted bail to four, five others would be taken for remand today.

A Goa-bound group, led by Nitesh, travelling in a convoy of private cars, had refused to pay toll fee at the plaza in Pernem village on Goa-Maharashtra border.

Toll fee is charged from all non-Goa registered vehicles when they enter from the neighbouring states.

The group created a ruckus and damaged the toll collection centre and assaulted three workers employed by Goa Public Works Department to man the toll booth.

Narayan Rane, a Shiv Sainik-turned-Congressman, wields considerable influence in Maharashtra's Konkan region, which borders Goa. Rane, a former Chief Minister, currently holds industry portfolio in the Prithviraj Chavan Cabinet.