ZP vice-president Raju Bhaiyya Bhosale files Rs 100-crore defamation suit against YouTube journalist

Zilla Parishad vice-president Raju Bhaiyya Bhosale has filed a Rs 100-crore defamation suit against Tushar Kharat, a journalist with the YouTube channel "Lay Bhari". Bhosale announced this at a press conference in Satara. He warned that deliberate defamation on social media would not be tolerated.

According to Bhosale, Kharat aired several videos about him on his YouTube channel on October 24, 2026. The videos linked him to the Adani group's power generation project in the Tarale dam area. Bhosale claimed that allegations including a comparison with Walmik Karad, use of farmers' land for road widening, illegal operations and goondaism were made in an attempt to tarnish his public image.

He said that under the basic rules of journalism, the truth of any story must be verified and the concerned persons' side heard before it is aired. He alleged that one-sided and defamatory videos were aired without hearing his side.

Bhosale said a legal notice had been sent through his legal adviser, Adv. Kamlesh Pisal, to the journalist, his company and Google. As there was no response, Special Civil Suit No. 231/2026 was filed in the civil court in Satara.

Bhosale said the court has granted the application for a temporary injunction filed with the suit. Accordingly, Tushar Kharat and Lay Bhari News Media Private Limited have been temporarily directed not to air defamatory videos against Bhosale. The parties concerned have been given an opportunity to appear in court on November 16 and present their side.

Bhosale said, "Our family has been working for decades to solve the problems of the poor and for the development of the Parli area." He alleged that rumours and defamation were being resorted to because he could not be defeated in elections. "I will not bow to such tactics," he said.

Bhosale warned that not only Kharat but anyone making defamatory statements without evidence would face criminal action besides a defamation case. Adv. Kamlesh Pisal, Adv. Ira Bhosale, Zilla Parishad member Kamesh Kamble and Ajit Salunkhe, among others, were present at the press conference.