The police have arrested Fahim Shamim Khan in connection with the recent unrest in Nagpur. He is suspected to be the key conspirator behind the violence. He is currently in police custody until March 21.
Fahim Khan holds the position of city president of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP). He has previously contested both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from Nagpur. He ran against Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. However, he was unsuccessful in both attempts, losing his deposit each time.
According to the FIR registered by the police, Faheem Khan’s name appears alongside several other individuals. Authorities allege that he initially approached the police station to file a complaint against Bajrang Dal. Then, he incited people and contributed to the escalation of tensions.
Police Statement on the Ongoing Investigation
Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravindra Singhal stated that the investigation aims to determine if individuals or organized groups orchestrated the violence. “We are examining every possible angle to identify if this incident was planned by a single person or an entire group,” he said
He further added that all accused named in the FIRs are residents of Nagpur. However, preliminary findings suggest that a few people from outside the city might also have been involved.
How Did the Violence Start?
The incident unfolded after a protest by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on March 17. They were demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. Amid the demonstration, rumors circulated that a religiously symbolic cloth had been burned in Nagpur. This quickly led to widespread agitation. Ultimately, it resulted in violent clashes. Numerous vehicles were torched, and several police personnel and civilians sustained injuries.
So far, police have lodged six FIRs across three different police stations. They have arrested 51 individuals in connection with the violence. FIRs have been filed against a total of 1,250 people, of whom between 100 to 200 have been identified.
In addition, Nagpur Police’s cyber cell is investigating those who circulated incendiary videos on social media. Footage from nearly 100 to 150 CCTV cameras is also being reviewed to track down further evidence and culprits.
Woman cop molested, rioters hurled petrol bombs at police
An FIR filed at the Ganeshpeth Police Station has detailed two serious incidents linked to the Nagpur violence. According to the report, one of the accused allegedly harassed a female Riot Control Police (RCP) officer. The complaint mentions that the accused not only misbehaved with the officer. He also touched her uniform and body inappropriately. Additionally, he made vulgar gestures. Additionally, officials confirmed that during the violent clashes, rioters attacked police personnel with petrol bombs and pelted stones at them.
