The Supreme Court on Monday directed a petitioner to approach the Bombay High Court with his plea accusing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray of hate speech and inciting violence against the north Indian community.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran questioned petitioner Sunil Shukla — national president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Sena — on why he hadn’t approached the high court with his grievances.

“Is the Bombay High Court on vacation?” the CJI asked, leading Shukla’s lawyer to withdraw the plea, according to the news agency PTI.