'Vandal' MNS leaders denied bail by court

The Mumbai Esplanade Court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of eight Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers including Sandeep Deshpande, a former corporator from Dadar, who were arrested for allegedly vandalising a Mumbai Congress party office in South Mumbai on 1 December.

The MNS workers' lawyer, Parag Pradhan, had filed a bail plea that was heard on Wednesday. Apart from Deshpande, the Mumbai police had arrested Santosh Sarode, Abhay Malap, Yogesh Chile, Vishal Kokne, Harish Solanki, Diwakar Padwal and former corporator Santosh Dhuri.

The Azad Maidan police opposed the bail saying that if the accused are released, they will again create law and order problems. Considering the argument by the prosecution, the magistrate rejected the plea. The MNS workers will be lodged in Arthur road jail till December 18.

The Azad Maidan Police had registered a case of rioting, damaging property and house trespassing against the MNS workers, after they allegedly vandalised a Congress office in South Mumbai on 1 December at around 11.30 am with paver blocks, wooden batons and stones. Windows and glasses of Congress Mumbai President Sanjay Nirupam's cabin were damaged. Soon after the attack, local leader Sandip Deshpande took responsibility for it via a tweet and called it a 'surgical strike' on Congress.

The attack had sparked a controversy and Nirupam had warned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that if he fails to take action against the MNS goons, the Congress party will give befitting reply to MNS in their own style.

"We opposed the bail considering the recent atmosphere and clashes that have been breaking between MNS and Congress party workers," said Vasant Wakhare, senior police inspector at Azad Maidan police station.

We opposed the bail saying that if they came out, its possible that they might just repeat what they have done earlier which will ultimately create law and order situation."