Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of the 37th court N B Pokharkar also exempted executive editor of the newspaper, Sanjay Raut and printer-publisher Subhash Desai. The magistrate adjourned the matter to November 12, 1998.

Counsel for Thackeray, Rajendra Shirodkar, Ashwin Mody and Deepak Thakkar submitted that Thackeray be exempted for a day because he was suffering from bronchitis and chest pain. They informed the court that Raut had gone to flood-affected areas of Manor in Thane district while Desai had left for Pune in connection with official business.

Shaukat Sarkar's bail plea rejected

Sarkar had been arrested by the detection and crime branch of Mumbai police on September 15 for his involvement in stealing and selling 10 cars in the city. His three bodyguards, and the manager of his hotel had also been arrested. Police are hunting for the fourth accused in the case, Mustaq Kazi. Kazi's role in the series of car thefts has, however, been withheld, as it might hamper investigations.

Meanwhile, Sarkar's son Sahid, his father Nazar Hussain, brother Nasir, nephew Mustaq, and his brothers-in-law Salim Rupani and Noor Tarwalla have moved the Sessions Court for anticipatory bail in connection with the car thefts.

Fire in Dahisar