HC transfers defamation case against Thackeray to Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 22 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today transferred the defamation case filed by State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Chhagan Bhujbal against Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray, from Nashik to Mumbai.

Justice Abhay Oka allowed Mr Thackeray's plea as Mr Bhujbal's counsel did not object to the said transfer.

Last week, Mr Bhujbal's counsel had sought time as talks of settling the dispute outside court were being considered. However, the case was not withdrawn.

Mr Bhujbal, a former Sena leader, had left the party to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He had filed the case against the Shiv Sena Chief at Nashik, following a defamatory article by Mr Thackeray against him in the party mouth-piece 'Saamna' in 1997 over an incident of police firing on a Dalit mob at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Mumbai.

Mr Thackeray had then moved the Bombay High Court seeking the transfer of the case to Mumbai considering his age.

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