Police issues show cause notice to Thackeray

Mumbai, Mar 4 (UNI) The city police has issued a show cause notice to MNS Chief Raj Thackeray asking why the 'gag order' should not be extended against him.

A top police official said, ''We have issued the 'show cause notice' as per legal procedure to Mr Thackeray and he has to reply to it within next 48 hours.'' The MNS office-bearer Sandeep Deshpande said, Mr Thackeray, who is presently in Pune has not yet received any such notice.

Talking about the signature campaign undertaken by the party across the state against the imposition of the 'gag' order on Mr Thackeray, he said that the party has received overwhelming response from various people. ''So far more than twelve lakh people have signed in favour of MNS Chief.'' On February 3, Mr Thackeray had made provoking remarks against North Indians, ahead of a rally organised by Samajwadi Party (SP) at Shivaji Park, which led to the violence in the metropolis and other parts of the state.

On February 11, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operation) had slapped ''gag order'' u/s 144, restraining him from holding public rallies, ''dharnas'' and press conference till mid-night of February 25.

UNI ST DB MSJ SSC1305