Expert Legal Opinion on Raj Thackeray still awaited

Mumbai, Feb 7 (UNI) The legal opinion, sought by Maharashtra government from the state Advocate General over action against Raj Thackeray, president of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), for his alleged provocative remarks against North Indians that led to violence in the Metropolis, was still awaited.

Sources in the Advocate General's office said it will be forwarded to the government shortly.

Adovate General Ravi Kadam was examining the case. When contacted, he refused to make any comment on the matter, but said the papers are under examination and the same will be forwarded to the state within the stipulated time.

According to some legal experts, prima facie material was available against Raj and a case under the section 153-A for 'instigation' can easily be made out against him.

The experts said 153-A is a non-bailable offence but it is at the descretion of the court to release the accused on bail or take him in police custody.

In the related development, K L Prasad, Joint Commissioner of police, Law and Order, talking to mediapersons said ''so far, we have not decided to book Raj in any case but we are also examining the relevant evidence in this case''.

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