Mumbai, Nov 7 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today admitted a contempt of court case against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray for allegedly making threatening statements against lawyers who would accept defence case of 7/11 bomb blasts accused at a rally held at Shivaji Park on July 16.

A Division Bench comprising Justices B H Marlapalle and J H Bhatia was hearing a petition filed by the Indian Association of Peoples' Lawyers and Committee for protection of democratic rights.

Raj Thackeray filed his affidavit today following court notice seeking him to show cause as to why action should not be initiated against him for committing contempt.

Raj submitted in his affidavit that he was merely expressing his personal opinion as well as appealing to the 'moral conscience' of the lawyers so that they would not take up such cases.

He further submitted that he had not meant to hamper the administration of justice neither did he mean that the lawyers are anti-national. It was just an outburst of emotions and the expression was meant to inspire and make people realise that the person who they would represent could be terrorists or anti-nationals.

He stated that he was not going to physically prevent any lawyer from taking up such case but only protest against the same and his speech was mis-interpreted by some newspapers which completely twisted his statements.

The case will come up for final hearing on November 14.

UNI ARM PM/OBB PM RN2049