Raj Thackeray booked for violence

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 day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers vandalised toll booths across the State, the police registered two cases against party chief Raj Thackeray in Pune. He has been booked for abetting violence, rioting and for damaging private property, according to the police.

Police sources said Mr. Thackeray was unlikely to be arrested immediately. The State government would assess the fallout; it would not want him to gain political mileage.

“We are also taking legal opinion on whether a case can be lodged against him for making an inflammatory speech which led to the violence,” said Director General of Police Sanjiv Dayal.

At a meeting on Sunday evening, Mr. Thackeray told supporters: “Don’t pay a single rupee as toll. Those who demand it should be smashed.”

After his diktat, party workers attacked toll booths in and around Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Aurangabad and Nagpur.

(Additional reporting by Amruta Byatnal in Pune)