While the city is on edge now wondering if and when Raj Thackeray will be arrested, he was arrested way back in 1992 by a sub-inspector from the Mahim police station.
MUMBAI: While the city is on edge now wondering if and when Raj Thackeray will be arrested, the nephew of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was arrested way back in 1992 by a sub-inspector from the Mahim police station.
Raj was held for allegedly battering the gymnastics coach at the Samarth Vyayam Mandir (SVM), Shivaji Park, with a chair. The sub-inspector who arrested him was a namesake from the North - Raj Kumar Srivastav - with all of two years of experience as a policeman in Mumbai.
On April 13, 1992, Raj Thackeray was alleged to have entered the annual general meeting of the SVM and hit Deshpande with a chair. Thereafter, three of his friends assaulted the coach.
Police arrested the three friends but, despite repeated raids on his residence and those of his friends, failed to track Raj.
While Raj now refuses to seek bail if arrested, in 1992 he filed for anticipatory bail. But advocate Adhik Shirodkar, who used to represent the Thackerays, said: “I do not recollect any instance where I represented Raj Thackeray. I do remember having approached the Dadar court in respect of the senior Thackeray, who was charged with making inflammatory speeches.”
Then public prosecutor Jaising Shinde vociferously opposed Raj’s anticipatory bail application, pointing out that political pressure was exerted to release him. When contacted, he said: “I do recollect the incident. I based my arguments on what the prosecution stated. My belief has been that one should not succumb to political pressure and the application has to be decided on merit. And the application was rejected.”
A police officer, who was then posted at Mahim, said: “Around 1pm the following day Raj Thackeray reached the police station with his supporters to surrender as per the court’s directive. He asked the investigating officer his name, and the latter pointed to the badge on his uniform. Srivastav then made a station diary entry and a lockup diary entry and Raj was allowed to leave after two of his supporters stood surety.”
Srivastav, who is today an assistant inspector in Thane, only said, “I had arrested Raj Thackeray as per the directive of the sessions court.”
Deshpande told DNA: “I have tried to pull the curtain down on the issue. All those who attacked me subsequently admitted to having been misinformed. While Raj Thackeray manhandled me, he at no time hit me with a chair. People are quick to blame politicians for the ills of society but rush to them at the drop of a hat, and the politicians act without verifying the allegations.”
Deshpande, who was accused of molesting one of his students at the gymnasium, was later exonerated.
a_renni@dnaindia.net
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