Bombay High Court questions maintainability of PIL towards Raj Thackeray

The Bombay High Court on Monday questioned the maintainability of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in search of registration of a First Information Report (FIR) towards Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray and his social gathering staff, in addition to the derecognition of the social gathering, for allegedly concentrating on Hindi-speaking residents and selling Marathi imposition.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, whereas listening to the petition filed by advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, requested him to first fulfill the courtroom on the maintainability of the PIL.

Advocate Subhash Jha, showing for Mr. Upadhyaya, submitted that MNS staff had harassed Hindi-speaking residents in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Pune, and claimed that such actions threatened nationwide unity, notably within the run-up to the elections.

The Bench, nevertheless, questioned the necessity for a PIL within the matter, observing that affected people might straight strategy the courtroom. It determined to first hear arguments on the maintainability challenge and can repair a date for the listening to sooner or later.

Mr. Upadhyaya had earlier moved the Supreme Court in search of withdrawal of the MNS’s recognition, citing a July 5 rally through which Mr. Thackeray allegedly incited violence towards non-Marathi audio system and mocked Hindi-speaking States. The prime courtroom, nevertheless, suggested him to strategy the High Court.

The 114-page PIL, filed underneath Article 32, seeks strict motion underneath the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), together with registration of an FIR and revocation of the MNS’s recognition. It alleges repeated acts of mob violence and assaults by the MNS chief and his social gathering members, claiming that such actions posed a menace to India’s unity, sovereignty, and constitutional values.