Bombay High Court refuses to quash criminal proceedings initiated against Nikhil Wagle by Shiv Sena party workers

Observing that it cannot be said that a physical assault between political party workers and the media is not an offence against the society, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday, refused to quash criminal proceedings against ​veteran journalist ​Nikhil Wagle and Shiv Sena party workers.

A division bench of Justice SC Dharmadhikari and Justice Prakash Naik while refusing to stay the proceedings presently ongoing at the sessions court observed, “Even if there would have been an assault inside the compound of a housing society, we would not have quashed the proceedings.” Following this, Wagle and other​s​ withdrew their petition.

The case was from 2009 when Wagle was the​ editor of a news channel located in Vikroli. It was alleged that he was criticising late party supremo Bal Thackeray, in his reports, following which Shiv Sena party workers went to his office to stage a protest. The meeting did not go well and there was a riot-like situation in the office premises. The police registered​ counter- ​case​s​ under various section ​of the Indian Penal Code​​ against the Shiv Sena workers and Wagle

It was pleaded in court that the entire incident was personal in nature and was a result of high passion between both parties. Now tempers have cooled down, better sense has prevailed and parties have approached each other with a compromise, thus asking for the proceedings to be quashed.