MNS Leader Amit Thackeray Accepts Police Notice After Defying Civic Norms
In a significant political development, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray formally accepted a police notice on Sunday, November 23, 2025. The notice was issued for his alleged act of unveiling the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj memorial in Nerul without obtaining the necessary permissions. What was expected to be a routine legal procedure transformed into a powerful display of political strength, with several hundred MNS workers mobilizing in a show of solidarity for the young leader.
From Refusal to Acceptance: The Timeline of Events
The sequence of events began when a team from the Navi Mumbai police visited Thackeray's Mumbai residence on Friday to serve the notice. In a defiant move, Thackeray refused to accept the notice directly, instead informing the officers that he would present himself at the Nerul police station. True to his word, he travelled to Navi Mumbai around noon on Sunday.
He was not alone. Thackeray was accompanied by a contingent of senior MNS leaders, including Bala Nandgaonkar, Nitin Sardesai, Sandeep Deshpande, and Yashwant Killedar. His journey to the station was marked by enthusiastic support. A large assembly of party workers gathered at the Vashi toll plaza to welcome him. Police estimates placed the number of MNS supporters joining the convoy at nearly 300, creating a significant presence as it proceeded towards Nerul.
In a symbolic gesture before complying with the police, Thackeray made a stop at the very memorial at the center of the controversy. There, he paid his respects to the unveiled statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, reinforcing the narrative of his action being one of devotion rather than defiance.
The Legal Framework and Official Statements
According to officers at the Nerul police station, Thackeray was served a notice under CrPC Section 41(A), which directs an individual to cooperate with an ongoing investigation. A senior officer confirmed the developments, stating, "He came to the station and accepted the notice. We informed him of the case details and the next steps."
The authorities had anticipated the crowd and had deployed extra police personnel to ensure the situation remained under control. The entire visit concluded peacefully, without any untoward incidents.
The case stems from an incident on November 16, when Thackeray was in Navi Mumbai for a party event. During his visit, he learned that the newly constructed Shivaji memorial had been covered for several months. Objecting to the delay in its inauguration, he took matters into his own hands and unveiled the statue himself. This act led to arguments between his supporters and the police personnel present at the site, culminating in a formal case being filed against him for allegedly violating civic and police norms.
Officials from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) clarified that the memorial's official inauguration was pending due to "administrative clearances" and that no individual permission had been granted for the unveiling.
Political Repercussions and Thackeray's Stance
The event has significant political undertones, positioning Amit Thackeray as a champion of Marathi pride. In a social media post shared by the MNS, Thackeray made his stance clear. He stated, "If my first political case is for fighting for Shiv Chhatrapati, then I will be happy about it. Those who chant the name of Maharaj during elections, those who receive applause in speeches in the name of Shivaji… don’t have time to inaugurate the statue? This is happening in Maharashtra, and this itself is shameful."
This statement is a direct critique of political rivals whom he accuses of using the icon's name for electoral gains while failing to act on the ground. The police have indicated that they will record Thackeray's detailed statement in the coming days and may call him again if required. No arrests have been made so far in connection with the case.
