India, Dec. 12 -- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and seven party workers appeared before a Thane court on Thursday in connection with a 2008 rioting case, in which several north Indians were allegedly beaten up in Kalyan.

Chief judicial magistrate AV Kulkarni framed charges against the eight accused and explained them in court. Thackeray pleaded not guilty and sought a trial.

The case pertains to the alleged assault on north Indian job aspirants during a railway recruitment drive at Kalyan station, and damage caused to railway property.

During the hearing, the judge asked Thackeray whether he accepted the charges framed against him. After he denied them, the judge instructed Thackeray to fully cooperate with the c...