`State won`t challenge HC`s ruling in Raj Thackeray case`

Police had filed an FIR against MNS chief Raj Thackeray under IPC sections 153, 153 (a) and 153 (b).

Mumbai: Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil on Thursday said that the state government would not file appeal against High Court`s decision to quash an FIR against MNS chief Raj Thackeray for his anti-North Indian speech of 2008, because it seemed to be no solid case.
High Court earlier this week quashed the FIR, as police had not obtained sanction from the state government to prosecute Raj.
Police had filed an FIR against MNS chief under IPC sections 153, 153 (a) and 153 (b) -- related to provoking a riot and promoting enmity between two groups.

"Government had sought the opinion of the Law and Judiciary department, which said that Raj`s speech, read in totality, will not fall under the definition of 153, 153(a),
153 (b). The department said it was not a fit case for according sanction to prosecute," Patil said here today.

The opinion was given on July 22, 2008, and the police were told not to file chargesheet against the MNS chief.

"Raj`s comments had ifs and buts, and will not make a case in the court. There is no question of government appealing against the High court judgement as the Law and
Judiciary department was not in favour of filing chargesheet," Patil added.

PTI

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