Fresh NBW against Raj Thackeray

JAMSHEDPUR: A fresh non-bailable arrest warrant was issued on Monday against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray after he failed to appear in a court here in connection with a case pertaining to his alleged derogatory remarks over 'chhat' festival.

Judicial Magistrate A K Tiwari issued the warrant and asked the Mumbai police commissioner to execute the order.

The judge fixed December 18 as the next date of hearing in the case.

Representing Thackeray, counsel R K Singh and Sweta Singh argued that in view of the ongoing protest against his client in Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh against his remark, the MNS chief could not appear in person on security grounds.

However, the judge rejected Thackeray's petition for his appearance through lawyers.

Earlier, Thackeray had procured interim bail from Mazgaon court in Mumbai against the warrant issued here on September 30.