A sessions court on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 500 on Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray for not appearing before it in connection with a case in which he is alleged to have made statements against the minority community.NCP activist Munna Tripathi had filed a criminal complaint against Thackeray alleging that the Sena chief made statements against the minority community during a function to celebrate his party’s anniversary in June 2006. However, after Thackeray failed to appear before the court despite three summons, Magistrate M B Date had issued a bailable warrant against him on February 8, 2007. Thackeray then moved the Sessions Court seeking quashing of the warrant against him. Thackeray, however, did not appear before the court for hearing citing old age and ill health.“Today, we once again pleaded that the matter be adjourned as he was not in a position to come to court himself. The court then imposed costs of Rs 500 on us as per procedure,” said advocate Rahul Narvekar who appeared for Thackeray.Judge S J Shah adjourned the matter to Tuesday and asked Thackeray to be present then. The court has only given an interim stay on the execution of the warrant and Thackeray’s defence team still has to argue for the quashing of the order.
