Non-bailable warrant against Raj Thackeray

The matter relates to alleged stone-pelting by MNS workers at a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus on the Jalna-Aurangabad road on October 20, 2008, near Shekta village

THE HINDU 21-8-2012 MUMBAI:MNS chief Raj Thackeray organised the rally at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Tuesday. to protest against the perpetrators of the August 11 attack on police and media. Picx by SHASHI ASHIWAL

A local court on Friday issued a non-bailable warrant against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray for not having been present in court for a long period.

The matter relates to alleged stone-pelting by MNS workers at a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus on the Jalna-Aurangabad road on October 20, 2008, near the Shekta village in Maharashtra. The driver of the bus, Ibrahim Shaikh, later lodged a police complaint after which a case was registered against Mr. Thackeray and six others.

However, Mr. Thackeray did not attend court proceedings and filed an application before the Judicial Magistrate seeking exemption from being present in court due to election campaigning.

The magistrate rejected his plea since Maharashtra polls got over on April 24 and issued a non-bailable warrant against him. The next hearing is scheduled on May 8.

(With PTI inputs)