Mumbai, Wednesday 22 Oct 2008: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has again been granted bail after being remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a Kalyan court. The magistrate accepted the bail plea filed by Raj’s lawyer in connection with a case of attack against North Indians in Kalyan. The court that was hearing the case filed by Government Railway Police, which had approached the court with an arrest warrant in Raj’s name, also granted anticipatory bail to him till October 24.

Soon after the court’s order, Thackeray left for home with his wife and supporters.

The MNS chief was taken to the Kalyan court from Manpada police station in Thane district’s Dombivili town, where he was kept overnight after being arrested by the Mumbai Police. Raj was taken into custody by the Mumbai Police in Ratnagiri yesterday and charged with provoking hatred among communities and endangering public safety.

The authorities in Kalyan have already imposed Section 144 (preventive curfew) in parts of the town beginning 11.00 am to ensure peace. Earlier in the day, police resorted to lathi charge and fired teargas to disperse MNS supporters gathered outside the Kalyan court. Further, arson was also reported from Bihar’s Barh where angry students set two A/C bogies of an Express train on fire.

(Agency)