MNS man booked, no case against Raj

The police on Tuesday registered a case against a general secretary of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for violating prohibitory orders and holding an unauthorised rally from Girgaum Chowpatty to the Azad Maidan. Party chief Raj Thackeray has not been made a respondent in the case, HT reports.

The police on Tuesday registered a case against a general secretary of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for violating prohibitory orders and holding an unauthorised rally from Girgaum Chowpatty to the Azad Maidan. Party chief Raj Thackeray has not been made a respondent in the case.

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Shirish Sawant, a general secretary of the MNS, was booked under section 135 (penalty for contravention of rules or directions) of the Bombay Police Act (BPA) as he had applied for permission for the rally, said Sanjay Surve, senior inspector, DB Marg police station.

Despite being denied permission by the police, the rally was held.

"At the moment, Sawant has been booked. Other names will be included if we come across anything substantial in the case [investigation]," Surve said.

As per practice, the office of the deputy commissioner of police (operations) issues prohibitory orders from time to time under section 37 (1) of the BPA, which bars the assembly of more than five persons, prohibits taking out morchas or processions in public places/roads anywhere in the city without proper authorisation (police permission).

The prohibitory orders are issued to maintain law and order in the city.

Breaking this law attracts punishment under section 135 of the BPA, which can be up to one year imprisonment and fine.