Mumbai, Aug 25 : The Maharashtra government Today  assured the Bombay High Court that they will not arrest Union Minister Narayan Rane for his comments made against Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

The Court was hearing a petition filed by Mr Rane’s lawyers to quash the FIRs filed against him in the ‘slap Uddhav’ case.

During the hearing, senior counsel Amit Desai, appearing for the state government, told the division bench of Justice S S Shinde and Justice N J Jamadar that no coercive action will be taken against Mr Rane in the FIR registered in Nashik till September 17, when the plea will be heard.

Mr Rane’s advocate Satish Maneshinde sought protection in all cases that may arise out of the alleged statement.

Desai, however, said a blanket statement of protection cannot be made as the petition only mentions the Nashik FIR.

After taking on record the statement made by the government, the Court fixed September 17 as the next date of hearing of the case.(UNI)