Commission sources said today that Thackeray has been asked to appear before the three-member body personally or through his counsel in connection with the case relating to a Vile Parle Assembly by-election in Mumbai a couple of years ago. The apex court had found Thackeray and Prabhu guilty of making inflammatory speeches and attempting to create discord among communities. The Supreme Court verdict followed an appeal filed by them against a Mumbai High Court judgment.

Maintaining that Prabhu had already been disqualified from contesting elections for six years, the sources said the Commission has now to decide the quantum and the term of punitive measure tobe adopted against Thackeray which include the Sena chief being prevented from contesting in an election and even casting his ballot.

As per the laid down procedure, the Supreme Court had referred its verdict to the Maharashtra Assembly secretariat which in turn had passed on the judgment to the President. The President sent the papers to the Commission which, under law, has to recommend the quantum of action to be taken against Thackeray.