ED summons to Raj: Police issue notices to MNS leaders

Police have served notices to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists and functionaries as part of measures to prevent any law and order problem in the wake of the ED summoning MNS chief Raj Thackeray in an IL&FS case, a senior official said on Wednesday.

The notices under section 149 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been served to MNS activists and functionaries in Mumbai, adjoining Thane and cities where the Thackeray-led party has influence, he said.

Thackeray is slated to appear before the Enforcement Directorate here on Thursday in connection with the ED's probe into the alleged irregularities relating to loans and equity investment worth over Rs 450 crore by crisis-hit infra lender IL&FS in Kohinoor CTNL Infrastructure Company.

"As there is a possibility of law and order issue in the view of Raj Thackeray's inquiry by the ED, we have given notices to MNS leaders and members under CrPC section 148", a senior police official said.

Stern action will be taken against anyone violating law and order in Mumbai and other places, he warned.

Section 149 of the CrPC empowers police officers to prevent cognisable offences. A cognisable offence is an act where police can make arrest without a warrant.

Kohinoor CTNL was founded by former Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi's son Unmesh, Thackeray and latter's close aide and builder Rajan Shirodkar to purchase and develop the land of the defunct Kohinoor Mill in Mumbai.

Thackeray had reportedly exited from the company in 2008.

Questioning of Unmesh Joshi has been going on at the Mumbai office of the ED since August 19.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Thackeray said he would "honour" the summons, and appealed to his party workers to maintain peace and harmony and not to stage violent protests.