Non-bailable warrant against Raj Thackeray

JAMSHEDPUR: A non-bailable warrant of arrest has been issued against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Biharis by a Jamshedpur court.
        
The court of 1st class judicial magistrate A K Tiwary on Tuesday issued the warrant and directed him to be present personally in the court on November 17.
        
It also ordered that a copy of the arrest warrant be issued to the Mumbai Police Commissioner for its execution.
        
The court passed the order after rejecting three petitions filed by Thackeray's counsel pleading for quashing the case under sections 210, 177 and 317 of CrPC on the ground that a case against him on the similar issue was pending in Mumbai court.
        
The defense lawyers also argued on territorial jurisdiction of the case under Section 177 CrPC, saying the case in the local court here was irrelevant as the place of occurrence was in Mumbai. Hence, the case be transferred to Maharashtra, he said.
        
They also pleaded with the court to allow Thackeray's appearance in the court through lawyers on security ground.
        
Hammed Razaa Khan, a lawyer-cum-complainant, had lodged a case against the MNS chief for hurting  religious sentiments of a section of  society.
        
Earlier, Jharkhand High Court had directed the trial court to go ahead with the prosecution against the MNS chief while allowing him liberty to take up the territorial jurisdiction issue with the trial court on September 19 last.