A Bihar court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant against Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for allegedly making hate speeches against Biharis with a directive to the Mumbai Police Commissioner to execute it and produce the MNS chief on November 2.
In Mumbai, Police Commissioner D Sivanandan said necessary action will be taken in accordance with law once they receive the directive.
The warrant was issued by Sahab Kaushar, first class judicial magistrate, Muzaffarpur, after he took exception to non-compliance of the order of the court by Mr. Thackeray to represent his side on previous dates. Mr. Kaushar ordered that Thackeray be produced before the court on November 2.
The MNS, which had spearheaded a controversial campaign against north Indians, said it would react only after seeing the warrant copy. “We have not received any such warrant and would not comment on it unless we read it,” party general secretary Nitin Sardesai said.
Sudhir Ojha, a senior advocate, had on February 2, 2008 filed a complaint under section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), in the court of the then Chief Judicial Magistrate (Muzaffarpur) J K Sinha seeking legal action against Mr. Thackeray.
Mr. Ojha alleged that Mr. Thackeray had on Janaury 31, 2008 statement made “uncharitable, insulting and hate speeches against the Biharis.” Mr. Thackeray had also insulted the ‘Chhath’ festival, he alleged.
Mr. Sinha had then transferred the case to the first class judicial magistrate.
