A Nagpur court has issued a notice to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat after he was accused of violating police permission by displaying lathis during an event attended by former President Pranab Mukherjee at the Sangh’s headquarters in June.

Bhagwat has been asked to appear before the district sessions court in Nagpur on December 11. A magistrate had earlier thrown out the petition, following which the Nagpur-based petitioner and social worker moved the sessions court.

“The police had granted permission to hold the path sanchalan (parade) without any weapons. Around 700 swayamsevaks participated in the rally with lathis in their hands violating the ground for permission,” said Mohanish Jivanlal Jabalpure, the petitioner.

On June 7, before delivering a lecture at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Mukherjee had witnessed the “martial prowess” of Sangh cadres as they marched on Nagpur’s Reshimbag ground.