Sena MP Sanjay Raut deposes in HC as Jaidev's witness

Shiv Sena MP and editor of party's mouthpiece 'Saamana' Sanjay Raut today told the Bombay High Court that late Bal Thackeray's son Jaidev was its regular columnist during 2007-2008.
Raut was examined as witness by Jaidev who has filed a testamentary suit challenging his father's will in which he was not given any share in the family property.
He said Jaidev was a regular columnist during 2007-2008 and his articles appeared every Sunday under the caption "Mano Yan No Mano".
Jaidev regularly contributed as a columnist for 18 months during this period after which he discontinued writing the pieces, said Raut in reply to a question put by Jaidev's lawyer Seema Karnaik during examination in chief.

Justice Gautam Patel, who is hearing the matter, deferred the hearing to January 16 when three other witnesses, including journalists Menaka Rao and Rajendra Akalekar, would be examined.
Raut was shown two articles written by Jaidev which had been published in 'Saamana' on September 23, 2007 and August 31, 2008. Raut confirmed that these articles had been penned by Jaidev.

He was also shown a photograph in which Jaidev was seen at a function along with his other family members.
Although it was not made clear by Jaidev's lawyer to the court as to why the articles and photograph had been shown to Raut, this exercise was undertaken perhaps to show that Jaidev was very close to his father and used to attend social functions along with his family.

It is Jaidev's case that it was not probable his father would leave him with no share in the family property and bequeath the assets to other family members.
However, Jaidev is expected to say all this during arguments after the witnesses have deposed before the court.