In a surprising turn of events, Sunil Raut, brother of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and the alleged mastermind behind the attacks on the IBN Lokmat offices, surrendered here on Tuesday evening.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajkumar Vhatkar told The Hindu over the phone that Sunil Raut would be booked under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code for attempt to murder. His is the 20th arrest in the case.
“When you have been indicted in a serious case and you have nowhere to go, you have no choice but to surrender,” Mr. Vhatkar said.
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The police have not yet ascertained where Sunil had been hiding all this time. They would be seeking his custody on Wednesday. Mr. Vhatkar earlier said Sunil was the main instigator in the attacks.
Four days ago, a group of Sena supporters led a violent attack on the offices of leading news channels IBN Lokmat and IBN7 in Mumbai and Pune. The channel’s persistent criticism of party chief Bal Thackeray’s remarks on Sachin Tendulkar is believed to be the immediate provocation.