Court adjourns 'Saamna' matter till September 27

Mumbai, June 6 (UNI) A local court today adjourned till September 27, the hearing on the petition filed by NCP leader Munna Tripathi against Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and ''Saamna'' executive Sanjay Raut for publishing ''provoking articles'' in the newspaper on June 21, last year.

The defence counsel told Railway Mobile Court magistrate C V Kulkarni that the sessions court has extended a stay till June 15 this year on the bailable warrant issued against Mr Thackeray by this court, earlier.

The advocate also moved an exemption application on behalf of Sanjay Raut, stating that his client is busy in Parliamentary work at New Delhi, and so he be exempted from personal appearance today.

He assured the court that Mr Raut will remain present on the next date of hearing.

Magistrate Kulkarni granted the exemption and rejected the petitioner's application seeking warrant against Mr Raut.

Advocate Rajesh Dube, representing Munna Tripathi, informed that his client has objected to an article in ''Saamna'' on June 21, this year, on the ground that the article could foment hatred between two communities and publication of such articles is harmful for the society.

UNI