‘Cops followed CrPC in arresting Azad Maidan accused’

The Bihar DGP had last week written to the Mumbai police warning of legal action if they acted without informing them in future. This created a furore in the state with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray terming all Bihari residents as “infiltrators”.

State government officials said the matter was discussed with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and an appropriate response was being drafted. They said the police adhered to relevant sections of the CrPC in arresting the accused and producing him before a court.

Thackeray’s statement invited remarks from across the political spectrum with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying that he was no more than a “sirfira” (insane) and must be dealt with sternly. He even wondered if the Maharashtra government had outsourced governance to people like Thackeray.

During a rally on Friday, Thackeray read out the letter which warned of legal action against Maharashtra Police if they acted without informing the Bihar Police in future. He said: “If the Bihar government takes any legal action against the police for arresting criminals, I will declare all Biharis as infiltrators and throw them out.”

Chavan and top government officials refused to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena has supported the MNS in its stand against the

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