The Supreme Court on Monday asked the petitioner, who filed a plea seeking registration of an FIR against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and accused him of hate speech and inciting incidents of violence against North Indians in Maharashtra, to approach the jurisdictional High Court, reported news agency ANI.

The plea was filed by Sunil Shukla, president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Sena, who also sought directions to the Election Commission of India to derecognise the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). In addition, he requested protection from alleged threats by MNS workers and sought action against party members who allegedly attempted to ransack the office premises of his political party, reported ANI.

A bench of the Chief Justice of India. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran clarified that it had not examined the merits of the case and granted liberty to the petitioner to move to the High Court.