Court issues summons to Bal Thackeray

Mumbai, Sep 17 (UNI) A local court today issued summons to Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and asked him to remain present in court on September 20 in connection with a petition filed by NCP activist Munna Tripathi.

Mr Tripathi has accused Mr Thackeray of publishing provocative articles in party mouthpiece ''Saamna'' on June 19 last year.

Additional sessions judge S J Shah issued summons and asked Mr Thackeray to present himself before the court on September 20.

On the last occasion, the judge had directed police to execute a bailable warrant against Mr Thackeray, issued by a Railway Mobile court, for failing to appear before the court.

The court had directed the police to go to Mr Thackeray's residence ''Matoshree'' to execute the warrant but the police has not executed the same as yet.

UNI