HC seeks Centre's reply on status of sanction for Thackeray's

The Delhi High Court today sought a response of the Centre on a plea seeking a direction to implead the government in cases related to MNS chief Raj Thackeray's prosecution for allegedly making anti-Bihari remarks in 2008.
Justice Manmohan Singh issued notice to Ministry of law and Justice and Home Ministry to inform it about the status of sanction requested for Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head's prosecution.
The court's order came on a plea filed by the complainant on whose complaint non-bailable warrants (NBWs) was issued by the trial court against Thackeray on October 7, 2014.
The plea filed by advocate Ajit Sharma on behalf of the complainant alleged that the Centre is yet to "decide whether or not to grant sanction under section 196 of the CrPC for prosecution of the MNS chief of the offence of promoting enmity between different groups against his client under sections 153 (a) and 153(b) of IPC".

The court, meanwhile, extended its stay on NBWs issued against Thackeray till May 12.
It has also stayed the proceedings against Thackeray before the trial court till further order.
Complainant Mithilesh Kumar Pandey said that section 196 of CrPC "prescribes that a sanction is imperative for any court to take cognisance of offence under sections 153-A or 153-B.