Surrender,arrest & bail in 3 hrs

The magistrate on Monday released Thackeray against a bail amount of Rs 1 lakh and directed him to avoid provocative speeches or writings. “Magistrate K V More first sent Thackeray to judicial custody till July 13 and then granted him bail on the condition that he would not provoke any one or disrupt law and order,” said special public prosecutor Ajay Misar.

Dressed in a white kurta,Thackeray was greeted and seen off by thousands of supporters outside the court and the police station,who cheered him as he stepped out of his vehicle and every time he emerged outdoors. After his surrender,he was first taken to the Kalyan police station under tight security. After an hour of formalities,he was produced in court.

“He has been very cooperative. He has been to the police station every day for the last three days,” said defence lawyer Sayaji Nagare. Besides,he pointed out,“The High Court had noted that custodial interrogation of Thackeray was not necessary at this stage.”

Justice Rekha Sondurbaldota had made this observation last year. The judge had,however,cancelled the anticipatory bail granted by the Kalyan sessions court,upholding the state government’s contention that this had become “infructuous” as the railway police had already arrested him.

On Monday,Thackeray’s battery of lawyers argued again that his custody was not essential. The court,however,observed that since Thackeray had surrendered,a formal arrest had to be made before he could be released on bail.

The prosecution informed the court that a chargesheet was yet to be filed as the state government had not sanctioned one. “We are waiting for sanction. Once that comes,legal proceedings will be carried out against Thackeray,” Misar said.

Thackeray has had some 20 cases filed against him but in not one has a chargseheet been filed. In every case,the police are said to be awaiting government sanction.