MNS to file complaint against ED's non-Marathi signboard in Mumbai

A day after the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for close to nine hours in a money laundering case, the party has raised objections to the signboard outside the agency's office in Dadar in Mumbai.

Citing a law which makes Marathi signboards mandatory in Maharashtra, the MNS said that it will be filing a complaint against the ED signboard which is only in Hindi and English.

On Thursday, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray was summoned by the ED in connection with alleged irregularities relating to loans and equity investment worth over Rs 450 crore by IL&FS in Kohinoor CTNL Infrastructure Company.

The MNS has now objected to the only Hindi and English signboard outside the ED office.

According to section 52 of the Bombay Shops and Establishments Act 1948, signboards outside any public or private office must be displayed in Marathi. Non-implementation of the rule results in a levy of fines ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000.

Raj Thackeray's party would now be filing a complaint with the district collector, a copy of which will also be sent to the ED office in Mumbai.

The MNS has given the information about this complaint on its official Twitter handle.

Speaking to India Today TV, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said, "The land of the law says that local languages should be respected. We are bringing it to their notice, that they are not following the rule of Marathi signboards. The Enforcement Directorate that wants everyone to follow the law, should first follow it before preaching anyone else."