Mumbai, Feb. 22 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday offered an apology to Maharashtra school education minister and BJP MLA Dada Bhuse, who, in return withdrew a defamation case filed against Raut over allegations of a Rs.178-crore fraud linked to the Girna Cooperative Sugar Factory. The defamation case stemmed from an article published in Shiv Sena (UBT)'s mouthpiece Saamana in June 2023, in which Raut alleged that Bhuse was involved in misappropriation of Rs.178 crore. Bhuse, who represents the Malegaon outer assembly constituency and is a senior leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, had denied the charge and moved the court. However, when the duo appeared together before the Malegaon court in Nashik on Saturday morning, Raut said his allegations were based on information provided by then party colleague Advay Hiray, who has since then joined the BJP. Bhuse then formally withdrew the complaint, and the court allowed the matter to be closed. Speaking to the media Raut said, "Bhuse explained that the information given to me was misleading. So there was no reason to continue with the allegations. I have tendered an apology to Bhuse," said Raut, adding that he would publish a new article in Saamana with the version of people related to the Girana sugar factory including farmers. Raut said he regretted his statements and apologised to the farmers and citizens of Malegaon for any confusion caused. "Maharashtra has a tradition of cultured politics. Dada Bhuse and I share good relations," Raut added. He also said that due to his health conditions, he was unable to travel to Malegaon frequently for the case. Recently, he had taken a month off from his political work due to an illness. Bhuse responded, "We have accepted an apology by Sanjay Raut to the people of Malegaon, farmers and people related to the Girana sugar factory. Considering his health we have withdrawn the case." Bhuse clarified that a bank transaction of Rs.1.78 crore had allegedly been misrepresented as Rs.178 crore, which fuelled the controversy....