A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Bombay High Court seeking investigation and registration of first information reports (FIRs) against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Cabinet Minister Aaditya Thackeray and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut for causing public nuisance.
The petition filed by social activist Hemant Patil also sought an order restraining the Thackerays and Raut from organizing press conferences, tours, and visits to various places in Maharashtra on the issue of rebellion by MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction.
Patil stated that after the political crisis within the State, the dissident MLAs fled to Guwahati only to protect the safety of their lives after receiving threats from the Thackerays and Raut.
The power tussle intensified with time as the Shiv Sena Legislature Party cadre began staging protests in various districts of Maharashtra against the rebelling MLAs, Patil alleged. He contended that all this was only creating fear in the minds of the citizens, who are apprehending a situation of riots and violence in the State.
“In most of the protests organized at the influence and instigation of respondents (Thackeray and Raut) in various district of State of Maharashtra antisocial elements have damaged public property in the State in front of police personals and there is situation of breach of law and order in the State for which the respondents are only responsible for the same,” the petition said.
Patil also reasoned that the Central government giving Y+ protection to the rebel MLAs was a sign that that there has been a breach of peace in Maharashtra.
In the PIL filed through Advocate RN Kachave, Patil prayed for directions to the Director General of Police, Maharashtra to conduct an inquiry and to register FIRs against Thackeray duo and Raut for public nuisance and sedition, which has been kept in abeyance by the Supreme Court.