Police protection for man who sent Thackeray to prison

The person who filed the contempt petition against Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray leading to the latter's conviction, has been provided police protection.

Five constables and one sub-inspector are guarding the home of 70-year-old Harish Pimpalkhute in Dhantoli locality in west Nagpur after the high court held the Sena chief guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him to seven days simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000 on Friday.

"I have not sought any police protection, but the police have on their own given me protection," Pimpalkhute said.

Thackeray had told a Shiv Sena rally on Dassera day in Bombay that a judge demanded Rs 3.5 million from a litigant for giving a favourable verdict and that, if this was the state of affairs, he would not respect such judges.

In an interview, Pimpalkhute denied that he was inspired by the Congress to file the petition. "I retired from politics 25 years ago and am looking after my business," he said.

He further said his purpose behind filing the petition was that all those in authority should speak responsibly and refrain from using intemperate language. He was unhappy over Thackeray's attack on the judiciary when it was doing yeoman service.

Thackeray is scheduled to launch the Nagpur edition of the Sena daily, Saamna, at a public rally on Sunday.