Nagpur Police Arrest Key Accused Fahim Khan in Mahal Violence Case
Nagpur, India: Nagpur Police arrested local leader Fahim Shamim Khan on Wednesday for his role in the communal violence that happened on Monday night. The violence injured over 30 police personnel. Khan, who belongs to the Minority Democratic Party, will remain in police custody until Friday, March 21.
The violence started after rumours spread that right-wing activists had burned photo of Aurangzeb and a religious chadar near Shivaji Putla Square at Mahal Gate. This led to widespread anger and clashes, especially at Chitnis Park Chowk, where police faced heavy stone-pelting.
During the violence, mobs set fire to two JCB machines and 40 vehicles. They also vandalised police vans and threw petrol bombs. The police imposed a curfew in several areas under Section 163, and key locations such as Fawwara Chowk, Gandhi Putla Chowk, and Badkas Chowk were sealed off.
Police have filed six FIRs and booked over 1,200 people, including members of VHP and Bajrang Dal. Less than 200 of them have been identified so far, while the police are searching for the others. Around 70 people, including 34 police personnel, were injured during the clashes.
An FIR registered at Ganeshpeth Police Station revealed that a woman police officer was molested by one of the rioters. He misbehaved with her, touched her uniform, and made obscene gestures.
On Wednesday, the JMFC court sent 19 of the accused to police custody until March 21. Earlier, 27 of the 51 accused were produced before the court. Defence lawyers claimed that some of the arrested individuals were not involved in the violence.
Security has been tightened across Nagpur with over 1,000 police personnel deployed in sensitive areas like Mahal, Chitnis Park Chowk, and Bhaldarpura. Schools have been shut, and police are urging residents to stay calm and not believe in rumours.
Authorities are investigating whether the violence was planned by an individual or a larger group. The Union Home Ministry has also asked for a detailed report on the incident, which happened just weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Nagpur.
