After a PIL in the Supreme Court demanding de-recognition of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for its anti-North Indians campaign, a similar PIL was filed in the Bombay High Court on Friday seeking a ban on MNS and also to conduct a CBI probe into the entire incident.
The PIL filed by Sanjay Singh and N Thakkar, Mumbai-based businessmen, contends that since Raj's statements against North Indians led to 'rioting', Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) should be invoked against him.
The PIL is likely to come up for hearing next week.
Pending the hearing, petitioners have also sought personal protection, and an order restraining Thackeray and his workers from continuing with inflammatory speeches and acts of violence.
Petition refers to Raj's statement that Chhat Puja and UP-Day must not be celebrated in Mumbai, which touched off the attacks on North Indians.
Raj's statements were made with a view to promote enmity between different groups, and are prejudicial to national integration, harmony and peace, it says.
The public interest litigation also blames the state government for inaction. It has also demanded a CBI probe into the entire episode.
