Raj Thackeray surrenders in 2008 rioting case, gets bail

MNS chief Raj Thackeray today surrendered before a local court in a case of rioting registered against him in 2008 and was later granted bail.

Raj was released on bail by a judicial magistrate (first class) in Umergaon village of Osmanabad on a bond of Rs 15,000. He was accompanied by his lawyer Sayaji Nangre.

The MNS chief was arrested on October 21, 2008, in Ratnagiri in connection with an agitation launched by his party against north Indians. The party had claimed that north Indians deprived the 'sons of the soil' from getting employment in the state.

Following the arrest of Raj, riots broke out in Mumbai, Jalgaon, Aurangabad and various other parts of the state. Several cases were registered against the MNS Chief and his supporters.

In the case registered at Umergaon court, Raj has been booked under IPC sections 336 (dangering life or personal safety of others), 337 (causing hurt by such act), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act which endangers human life) and 109 (abatement of offence). Raj got bail for all the offences.