New Delhi,March 09: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice on a petition by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena ( MNS) leader Raj Thackeray seeking transfer to Delhi of three fresh cases filed against him in various parts of the country.
The apex court has already transferred to Delhi seven cases registered against him in Bihar and Jharkhand for his hate speeches against North Indians.
“ This ( filing of cases) will continue… Why don’t you stop making such statements?” Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan said after Thackeray’s counsel Mukul Rohatgi submitted that fresh cases had been filed over the same speech.
While the cases in Bihar and Jharkhand were for instigating violence against non- Marathis living in Mumbai, a case in Madhya Pradesh was filed by a person alleging that a Samajwadi Party MLA was slapped by MNS legislators at Thackeray’s instance.The MNS leader had initially pressed for transfer of the cases to Maharashtra but the apex court had decided to go for a neutral venue.
The cases have been registered at various places on the basis of complaints by local residents who would have to come to Delhi to testify during trial. The apex court’s suggestion to Thackeray to desist from making hate speeches will be put to test on Tuesday when the MNS chief addresses his partymen on the occasion of the party’s foundation day.
The SC bench comprising Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan and justice B. S. Chauhan on Monday asked Thackeray to desist from making any provocative speeches targeting North Indians which has led to filing of several criminal cases against him in different parts of the country. “ What is the guarantee that in future you will not make such statements,” the bench said while issuing notices to those who have filed private complaints against the MNS chief for his alleged action and speeches promoting animosity among citizens.
While the party refused to pass any comment for obvious reasons, it remains to be seen if Thackeray takes it seriously.
Sources said he is likely to heed to the advice at least for the time being, as the MNS chief doesn’t want to attend any hearing in Bihar and Jharkhand. “ The sentiments over there are quite vicious and anything can happen,” an MNS leader said.
Thackeray, who apparently feared for his safety in Bihar and Jharkhand, had sought transfer of the cases against him for trial at one place in Maharashtra or any other state. But he had specifically requested the court not to transfer the cases to any court in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar or Jharkhand.