Mumbai: A week on, police still on the lookout for MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande

Sandeep Deshpande (right) and other MNS leaders were to be arrested because they had made statements which could create tension among communities, despite being issued a preventive notice about this. File pic/Ashish Raje

Seven days since the Shivaji Park police booked Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande for attempted culpable homicide and assault on a public servant, he is still at large. Deshpande had run away from his party supremo's residence at Shivaji Park on the morning of May 4, injuring a woman constable and an inspector. Cops at the police station and Crime Branch officials are trying to find his whereabouts. His anticipatory bail application has been scheduled for hearing on May 17.

Raj Thackeray, MNS chief, had given an ultimatum for an agitation against azaan from loudspeakers installed at mosques across the country, if they were not removed. He had asked MNS members to play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers if they heard a mosque playing azaan on loudspeakers. To avoid any untoward situation, Mumbai police had served preventive notices to several MNS workers from May 1 including Deshpande, Santosh Dhuri and Santosh Sali.

Despite the notice, the cops found Deshpande and others making statements which could create tension among communities. On the morning of May 4, Deshpande and the two others were seen going to Shivteerth, the residence of Thackeray. Around 11.15 am, when they stepped out, the Shivaji Park cops went forward to nab them. Sali was arrested while Deshpande and Dhuri fled from the spot in a car which resulted in Constable Rohini Mali and Inspector Keshavkumar Kasar getting injured.

The Shivaji Park police booked Deshpande and Dhuri under IPC section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 279 (rash driving), 336 (act of endangering life or personal safety of others), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 34 (common intention). DCP (Zone 5) Pranay Ashok said, "We have formed dedicated teams to track him down and try our level best to arrest him."