Vandalism at toll plazas: FIRs against Raj Thackeray, party workers

Pune Rural police have registered two FIRs against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and his party workers for trashing the Kavadi Pat toll plaza on Pune-Solapur highway and the Khed-Shivapur toll plaza on Pune-Satara highway.

In high gear: Security intensified at toll plazas following MNS vandalism

Six MNS activists involved in the Solapur Road episode and 14 others, including corporator Vasant More, named in the Satara Road incident were arrested by Loni Kalbhor police and Rajgad police respectively yesterday. Pending his arrest, Raj Thackeray is expected to visit the city on Friday for an important meeting of party leaders and office bearers.

Meanwhile, Raj’s wife Sharmila visited the Faraskhana police station premises where MNS corporator Rupali Thombre-Patil has been lodged in the lock-up after a local court remanded her and six others to two days police custody on Monday. “If we are guilty, arrest me or Raj,” she said, while addressing media persons outside the police station.

In the Khed-Shivapur incident, MNS workers obstructed traffic on Pune-Satara highway on Monday night and pelted four State Transport buses with stones. “They went on a rampage at the toll collection booths and injured six police officers, including two women, present on bandobast duty,” inspector SG Patil told the court.

In his order, Judicial Magistrate (First Class) AG Santani said, “The serious nature of offences necessitates custody with police. It is necessary to send the accused in police custody to facilitate the investigation and unfold the truth.”