Cops cite SMSes, calls as proof against Raj

In a bid to nail Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, the Mumbai Police appear to have more than his slogans that indicate his involvement in the violence on October 19 and later.

In a bid to nail Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, the Mumbai Police appear to have more than his slogans that indicate his involvement in the violence on October 19 and later. Stating that the police have “enough substantial evidence to establish Raj’s involvement in mobilising supporters well in advance”, the remand copy moved before the Kalyan Magistrate’s court on Wednesday cites text messages and phone calls that “could have originated from” Raj’s phone to various MNS leaders.

While seeking his custody, the argument of the state’s prosecution was that Raj and his party workers were, for the past few months, actively “conspiring” against a section of society. The messages ask MNS leaders and shakha pramukhs to unite against “outsiders,” the remand copy states.

Special Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian, confirming that the state sought to probe into his role in a “conspiracy”, said there was a pattern to these text messages. “They are all inducing the Maharashtrians to unite and fight for their rights. A few messages also spoke about a clean-up drive,” Salian said.

Story continues below this ad

MNS sources said they were aware that the Government was trying to charge Raj for criminal conspiracy. “We will maintain before the court that Raj had not made any call for violence as he had not spoken till late on Sunday evening, hours after the applicants for the Railway Board Exams were assaulted at railway stations,” said advocate Santosh Sawant from Raj’s legal team.

On Wednesday, the prosecution had argued that Raj was creating law and order problems. On its part, the defence counsel had held that there was no direct evidence to prove that it was at Raj’s instance that MNS activists went on the rampage. Raj has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Bombay Police Act for rioting, inciting communal tensions and unlawful assembly.

On Wednesday, an hour after Raj got bail, prominent MNS leader Shirish Parkar and 13 other leaders were arrested by the Kherwadi police in a case related to rioting and instigating a mob at Bandra court where Raj was to be produced after his arrest at Ratnagiri. “But these leaders were not even present on the spot at the time of Raj’s presentation,” said advocate Prashant Pansare, representing Parkar and others. Parkar and six others were released on bail on Thursday.

With inputs from Swatee Kher

us india trade talks, us india trade negotiations, us india tariffs, us india trade relations, trump modi trade talks, india us commerce ministry, us tariffs on india, india exporters relief package, us india economic relations, india us trade barriers, us india trade deal, india us trade meeting, rajesh agarwal commerce ministry, india us trade dispute, india us bilateral trade

Trade talks ‘positive’, govt says will intensify efforts to close US deal early

Business2 hr ago

India and the US have resumed trade negotiations after the US imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. The sixth round of talks will focus on recognising India's red lines and possibly increasing energy purchases from the US. Other topics include easing patent rules, data flows, and giving US firms procurement access.

View all shorts

Live Blog