Kunal Raut, the President of Maharashtra Youth Congress and son of former State Minister and Congress MLA Dr Nitin Raut, was arrested by Sadar police in Kuhi on Sunday in connection with the defacement of a poster featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi near the Zilla Parishad office. The incident occurred on Saturday when Raut, along with fellow Congress leaders, vandalized the poster in Civil Lines near Zilla Parishad. According to Sadar Police, they not only removed the 'Modi Sarkar' inscription but also added 'Bharat Sarkar' to the poster, using black paint to deface the image.

Raut faces charges under Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Section 3 of the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, and Section 427 of the Indian Penal Code. The arrest took place in Kuhi town on Sunday afternoon, leading to protests and slogans raised by local Congress leaders. Raut was subsequently transported to Nagpur, where he underwent a medical check-up.

In contrast to the police's version of events, a Congress leader asserted that a notice was sent via WhatsApp on February 4 under Section 41-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), instructing Kunal Raut and others to appear for investigation on February 5 at 12 pm. The leader claimed that Raut was apprehended abruptly by the police. Raut is scheduled to appear before the court on Monday.