Raj Thackeray surrenders in court; gets bail

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday surrendered before a court in Aurangabad in connection with four cases of rioting registered against him in 2008, but was later released on bail. Raj presented himself in the court of Judicial Magistrate, First Class, in Gangapur area in Aurangabad in central Maharashtra. The court released him on a bail of Rs 15,000 in all the four cases.

He was accompanied by his lawyer Sayaji Nagare. The MNS leader was arrested on October 21, 2008 in Ratnagiri for the anti-North Indian agitation launched by his party.

Following his arrest, riots broke out in Mumbai and various parts of Maharashtra and several cases were registered against Raj and his supporters.

In the cases registered at Gangapur, Raj has been booked under Indian Penal Code's Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongfully restraining persons), 336 (rash and negligent act endangering life of others), 427 (mischief) and 109 (abetment).

On February 22, Raj had surrendered in a court in Jalgaon in northern Maharashtra in another case of rioting, but was released on bail.