Wednesday, March 22 2006 15:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Maharashtra PWD minister chhagan bhujbal today formally withdrew a 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 today.

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. Last year, Rane joined Congress and was inducted in the state cabinet.

The remarks were made by Rane in the context of meeting of bomb blast accused with Bhujbal that was held 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. Being aggrieved, he initiated criminal proceedings against Rane in Mazgaon sessions court.