Govt's clean chit to Thackeray, Raj, Rane in vandalism cases

The government today told the Bombay High Court there was no evidence against Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, MNS president Raj Thackeray and Congress leader Narayan Rane in four separate incidents of political vandalism last year.

Political workers of Sena, MNS and Congress had allegedly indulged in violence and damaged public and private property in all these incidents.

On the last occasion, the high court had asked if any action had been taken against top leaders.

In an affidavit filed today, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Chandra Iyengar has said that "during the investigation of these four cases, it was not revealed that top leaders of the parties instigated their followers or aided and abetted...Since no involvement of top leaders or conspiracy was revealed, no action of arrest or prosecution could be taken."

Former IPS officer Julio Rebeiro had written a letter to the High Court, mentioning these four incidents, and demanding that compensation be recovered from those guilty. The letter was treated as a PIL.

First incident took place last January where Shiv Sena workers, led by MP Sanjay Raut, attacked hotel Inter Continental near Mumbai airport over some labour dispute. In the same month, supporters of Narayan Rane allegedly ransacked the office of daily 'Nava Kal', angered by an editorial critical of him.