Court orders Mumbai Police Commissioner to arrest Raj Thakare

Jamshedpur, Oct 1 (UNI) A Jharkhand court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supremo Raj Thakare for allegedly using foul language against "Chhat," a religious festival of Bihar, and North Indians.

Court of first class judicial magistrate A K Tiwary in his warrant issued yesterday ordered the Mumbai Police Commissioner to arrest Mr Thakare and produce him before his court on or before November 17, the next date of hearing of the case filed by a local advocate Mr Hamid Raza.

In his complaint Mr Raza alleged that Mr Thakare should be punished for his statements of January 31 this year by which he hurt the sentiment of Biharis and North Indians.

Mr Thakare had moved Jharkhand High Court for quashing of the case but was told to go to the lower court.

Yesterday during the hearing his advocates pleaded for the matter to be trasferred to Mumbai and Mr Thakare be given immunity from personal appearance citing security reasons but the court rejected the pleas.

UNI RAJ PC/src1631