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Court: why is Raj not prosecuted?

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday made a seething indictment of the Maharashtra government for not taking action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on the issue of Marathi name boards.

Tension had gripped shopkeepers in the city after MNS activists vandalised shops. Following such incidents and two letters signed by Mr. Thackeray warning of adverse consequences, a trader body had moved court. The affidavit by government pleader D.A. Nalawade has many MNS members booked under various sections. However, there is no mention of Mr. Thackeray.

“You say these are MNS activists. Have you registered a case against respondent number six, the leader?” demanded Justice J.N. Patel.

He asked why Mr. Thackeray was not being prosecuted under Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code. A common person, the judge remarked, would be in judicial custody for a similar offence.

“If you do not have the political will [to prosecute Thackeray], give a message to the people that we are not able to control law and order and that there are some who are untouchable,” he said.

There was “no government, no rule of law in the State. Police officers are helpless. Politicians do not have the will to take action. You are scared because you are not able to control the crowd. This is giving away the rule of law in the hands of anti-social elements.”

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