Bombay HC issues notice to Raj Thackeray over contempt petition

Mumbai: Bombay High Court on Monday issued notice to MNS chief Raj Thackeray over a petition filed by an advocate seeking contempt action against him for his comments against the judiciary last year.

A division bench of Justices PV Hardas and Mridula Bhatkar was hearing the petition filed by Ejaz Naqvi, seeking criminal action against the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader for his remarks against the High Court and its judges after he was refused permission to hold a political rally at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai. "Issue notice to respondent 1 (Raj Thackeray) and other respondents. Respondents to file affidavit within four weeks," the High Court directed. According to the contempt petition, Raj had allegedly called the February 2012 decision of Bombay High Court refusing him permission to hold rally as "partisan". On February 5 last year, the High Court had rejected a petition filed by MNS seeking permission to hold a political rally at the Shivaji Park, on the ground that the venue fell under the silence zone. As per the petition, soon after the High Court`s decision, Raj had in a speech referred to the decision as partisan. "The aforesaid remark scandalises the High Court and tends to lower its authority and dignity. The remark cast an unwarranted aspersion of partiality against the Bombay High Court," the petition says. PTI