Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut’s Albania Post Sparks Party Rift and Supreme Court Contempt Proceedings

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut posted on X that the Albanian public had burned down their Supreme Court because it was “helping corrupt prime ministers” and urged “all countries … especially India” to learn from the unrest. The post referenced attacks on Albania’s parliament, government offices and ministers’ homes. The statement provoked backlash from fellow Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, senior BJP officials, and led to a contempt petition filed in the Supreme Court of India against Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle.

Sanjay Raut’s Albania remark sparks row: Party colleagues object, BJP accuses him of ‘anarchy’ ‘Deeply regrettable’: Sanjay Raut’s Albania arson post draws flak from party colleague, others Albania unrest sparks Sena UBT clash: Raut says India should learn, Chaturvedi counters Sanjay Raut Under BJP Fire Over Albania Supreme Court Burning Video. He Clarifies Contempt notices to Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle over remarks against CJI, Judiciary Sanjay Raut submits explanation in SC contempt case, says ‘we expect justice’

Student-led protests in Albania have escalated into violent demonstrations demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Protesters have set fire to several government buildings, including parts of the Supreme Court. Police reported 388 people charged with criminal offences and injuries to officers and demonstrators. Raut’s comparison of the Albanian unrest to India’s institutions formed the flashpoint of the controversy.

Albania unrest sparks Sena UBT clash: Raut says India should learn, Chaturvedi counters ‘Deeply regrettable’: Sanjay Raut’s Albania arson post draws flak from party colleague, others Sanjay Raut’s Albania remark sparks row: Party colleagues object, BJP accuses him of ‘anarchy’ Sanjay Raut Under BJP Fire Over Albania Supreme Court Burning Video. He Clarifies Contempt notices to Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle over remarks against CJI, Judiciary Sanjay Raut submits explanation in SC contempt case, says ‘we expect justice’

• Sanjay Raut – Shiv Sena (UBT) MP.

Sanjay Raut’s Albania remark sparks row: Party colleagues object, BJP accuses him of ‘anarchy’

• Priyanka Chaturvedi – Shiv Sena (UBT) leader.

Sanjay Raut’s Albania remark sparks row: Party colleagues object, BJP accuses him of ‘anarchy’

• CR Kesavan – BJP spokesperson.

Sanjay Raut’s Albania remark sparks row: Party colleagues object, BJP accuses him of ‘anarchy’

• Chief Justice Surya Kant – Head of the Supreme Court of India.

Contempt notices to Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle over remarks against CJI, Judiciary

• Attorney General R Venkataramani – Consented to contempt proceedings.

Contempt notices to Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle over remarks against CJI, Judiciary

• Early October 2026 – Raut shares a 13-second video of alleged Albanian court arson on X, adding the “learn a lesson” comment.

Sanjay Raut’s Albania remark sparks row: Party colleagues object, BJP accuses him of ‘anarchy’

• October 15 – Attorney General R Venkataramani consents to contempt proceedings, describing the remarks as prima facie scandalous.

Contempt notices to Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle over remarks against CJI, Judiciary

• October 26 (scheduled) – The Supreme Court will list an interlocutory application related to a separate allegation involving Rahul Gandhi.

Contempt notices to Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle over remarks against CJI, Judiciary

• 388 individuals charged during the Albanian protests (police).

‘Deeply regrettable’: Sanjay Raut’s Albania arson post draws flak from party colleague, others

• Injuries reported among several police officers and demonstrators.

‘Deeply regrettable’: Sanjay Raut’s Albania arson post draws flak from party colleague, others

• BJP officials called Raut’s language “outrageous” and “threatening to India’s sovereignty,” demanding an apology to the Supreme Court.

Sanjay Raut Under BJP Fire Over Albania Supreme Court Burning Video. He Clarifies

• “The people were enraged because the Supreme Court was helping corrupt prime ministers.” — Sanjay Raut

Sanjay Raut Under BJP Fire Over Albania Supreme Court Burning Video. He Clarifies

• “India does not need to learn from any other country. Albania is a small nation that endured years under a communist dictatorship; the idea that people should take the law into their own hands, disrupt order, and destabilise institutions, whether it be the Supreme Court or Parliament, is entirely unacceptable,” — Priyanka Chaturvedi

‘Deeply regrettable’: Sanjay Raut’s Albania arson post draws flak from party colleague, others

• “Sanjay Raut is sounding like a modern-day Mir Jafar using treacherous language against India's constitutional institutions and our people's mandate. The Indefensible and outrageous language used of Sanjay Raut threatens sovereignty and integrity of India and betrays Rahul Gandhi's and his ecosystem's diabolical emergency mentality,” — Kesavan, BJP spokesperson

Sanjay Raut Under BJP Fire Over Albania Supreme Court Burning Video. He Clarifies

The Supreme Court will consider the contempt explanations submitted by Raut and Wagle, with a hearing expected after the October 26 listing. BJP and Shiv Sena colleagues have indicated that further political repercussions may follow depending on the court’s decision.

Contempt notices to Sanjay Raut and Nikhil Wagle over remarks against CJI, Judiciary