court admits complaint against SP MLA in Raj Thackeray case

Mumbai, Nov 7 (UNI) A local court today admitted a private complaint, seeking criminal action against Kishore Samritay, a Samajwadi Party MLA from Madhya Pradesh, for his announcement of a reward of Rs 1 crore to eliminate Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

The complaint was filed by MNS activist Anirudh Chavhan, praying to the court to issue a non-bailable arrest warrant against Kishore Samritay for his announcement as the same will amount to be a threat to the MNS chief and the provocative statement will also create a rift between the communities.

Appearing on behalf of Chavhan, advocate Shivaji Chogle told the court that MNS sees a grand conspiracy against its leader after Samritay's announcement and the party activist had filed a complaint in this regard earlier, but no action has been taken till now and hence he approached the court. The complaint was made under section 153 (A), (B), (Instigation) 120-B (Criminal conspiracy), and 134 (Common intention) of the Indian Panel Code.

After hearing the complaint, Magistrate Gautam Shirsad admitted it and adjourned the hearing till November 15.

It may be recalled that a few days ago, Samritay, while addressing mediapersons in Madhya Pradesh, had said that since the country's legal set-up has surrendered to Raj Thackeray's wishes, he wants him to be killed in public and will give Rs 1 crore to whoever kills him and will also provide legal assistance to the person.

Earlier, reacting over the MLA's announcement, the MNS had attacked Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ramvilas Paswan, saying Rahul Raj was sent to Mumbai by these leaders to kill its leader Raj Thackeray.

Rahul Raj, a young pistol-wielding man from Bihar, allegedly hurling abuses at MNS leader Raj Thackeray, was killed in a police shoot-out in a double-decker BEST bus on October 27 after he fired indiscriminately and threatened passengers in an incident that sparked a political row.

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