The Supreme Court did not listen to the petition against Raj Thackeray and his party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The bench headed by Chief Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai expressed displeasure over the filing of petition directly in the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice asked if the High Court is on leave? Realizing his gesture, the petitioner’s counsel himself took the petition withdrawn and asked to go to the High Court.
In the petition of North Indian Development Army President Sunil Shukla, Raj Thackeray was accused of spreading hatred towards North Indians and promoting violence in Maharashtra. The petitioner had demanded that the court asked the Maharashtra Police to register an FIR for Raj Thackeray’s hatred statements. Also, instruct the Election Commission to cancel the recognition of MNS.
In a petition filed through advocate Shriram Parikat, Sunil Shukla had said that he lives in Mumbai and through his party, he keeps voicing to protect the rights of North Indians living in Maharashtra. For this reason, people associated with MNS also attacked his party’s office last year.
Sunil Shukla had told that he sent a complaint against Raj Thackeray and his workers several times to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, DGP and Mumbai Police Commissioner, but no action has been taken so far. He also submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission to cancel the recognition of MNS, but the Commission also did not take any action.
It was told in the petition that on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, Raj Thackeray gave a very inflammatory speech against North Indians. After this, Hindi speaking people started to be targeted in Maharashtra. Many people, including D. Mart employees, a bank employee and watchman, were victims of violence. The petitioner also requested the safety of himself and his family.