SC directs man seeking FIR against Raj Thackeray to move High Court

Raj Thackeray. File Pic

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the petitioner, who filed a plea seeking registration of an FIR against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and accused him of hate speech and inciting incidents of violence against North Indians in Maharashtra, to approach the jurisdictional High Court, reported news agency ANI.

The plea was filed by Sunil Shukla, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Sena, who also sought directions to the Election Commission of India to derecognise the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). In addition, he requested protection from alleged threats by MNS workers and sought action against party members who allegedly attempted to ransack the office premises of his political party, reported ANI.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran clarified that it had not examined the merits of the case and granted liberty to the petitioner to move to the High Court.

As per Shukla's plea, Raj Thackeray had made an allegedly inflammatory speech on March 30, 2025, during a Gudi Padwa festival rally, "which led to the incitement of violence" against North Indians who work in public-facing jobs for speaking Hindi, reported ANI.

Shukla alleged that the conduct of Thackeray and his political party members constitutes hate speech, criminal conspiracy and incitement to violence.

He further claimed to have received personal threats, including a disturbing message on social media from a handle that threatened his life. Following this, he received over 100 anonymous phone calls containing threats, Shukla alleged, reported ANI.

He sought that an FIR be registered and the case be investigated by the police.

The Court has now granted liberty to Shukla to approach the Bombay High Court in this regard.

Advocates Abid Ali Beeran, Sriram Parakkat, Anandhu S Nair, Maneesha Sunil Kumar represented Shukla.

Raj Thackeray stresses thawing of relations with Uddhav, asks MNS workers to end feuds

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Monday asked party activists to take a cue from himself and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, who came together after 20 years, and stop intra-party bickering.

The MNS chief addressed a gathering of party workers in Mumbai.

An MNS functionary said Raj Thackeray asked party workers to focus on strengthening the organisation ahead of elections to local bodies, reported PTI.

He also asked us to take along those party workers who have not been active for different reasons.

"He (Thackeray) asked party workers to end internal bickering. Rajsaheb said if he and Uddhav Thackeray can come together after 20 years, then why can't the party workers put an end to their disputes," the functionary said, reported PTI.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)