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Synopsis

A Single Judge Bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Justice Amit Borkar on Thursday quashed the sessions court's order refusing to discharge Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), in a case originating from a protest initiated by his party in 2008.

Justice Borkar directed the Sessions Court in Islampur to reconsider Thackeray's discharge application, which had been denied earlier.

The incident in question took place in 2008 when MNS workers organized a state-wide agitation in Maharashtra, demanding that local youth be given preference in railway employment. Following complaints lodged over this protest, Thackeray was arrested. Subsequently, his party workers staged further agitations in protest against his arrest.

In 2013, Thackeray filed a discharge application before a Magistrate concerning one of the FIRs lodged in Sangli in 2008, alleging illegal assembly and breach of peace.

However, the Magistrate rejected the application and summoned Thackeray to appear for framing of charges. When Thackeray failed to appear, a non-bailable warrant was issued against him.

Thackeray challenged the rejection of his discharge plea before the Sessions Court in Islampur, Sangli, but this court also denied his plea, prompting him to file an appeal before the Bombay High Court.

After hearing both sides today, the high court set aside the order of the sessions court and asked the sessions court to reconsider the discharge application

Case Title: Raj Thackeray vs State of Maharashtra