Raj Thackeray denies charges in 17-year-old Kalyan railway station case.

• Raj Thackeray appeared in Thane Court for a 2008 case concerning the assault of North Indian candidates at Kalyan railway station.
• He denied the charges when asked by the judge if he accepted them.
• The case, stemming from an incident on October 19, 2008, is proceeding to trial after 17 years.
• The judge indicated the trial would start soon, with the next hearing scheduled for December 16.
• After court, Thackeray met with former Shiv Sena MP Rajan Vichare and district chief Kedar Dighe, hinting at a potential political alliance.

Why It Matters: Raj Thackeray's 2008 court case denial could shape his political trajectory.