Raj exempted from appearing in court

A metropolitan magistrate on Friday rejected the application filed by the state saying that Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray should be present in court when the matter of cancellation of bail granted to him is heard.

The state government in October last had moved the court seeking cancellation of bail of Raj granted in February by the Vikhroli metropolitan magistrate following his arrest in October after his supporters went on the rampage at several railway recruitment board job centres.

The state government had said that Raj's bail application should be cancelled as he violated the condition put forth by the Vikhroli court that he would not incite violence. The state also filed an application that Raj should remain present when his bail application is being heard.

Defense lawyer Sayaji Nagari said, "There is no provision in the law, which says that a person should remain present while his bail application is being heard."