Nagpur violence: Minority Democratic Party leader Fahim Khan arrested
Nagpur, Mar 19 (PTI): Minority Democratic Party (MDP) leader Fahim Khan has been arrested for allegedly leading a protest outside a Nagpur police station on Monday, officials said on Wednesday.
Khan was among more than 50 persons arrested so far in connection with the Monday night's violence in the city that left several police personnel injured. Police are investigating whether Khan played any role in instigating riots, an official said.
A group of 50 to 60 people led by Khan unlawfully gathered outside Ganeshpeth police station on Monday and submitted a memorandum against Vishwa Hindu Parishad's protest that had taken place earlier in the day, the FIR against him stated.
Subsequently, Khan and eight others went to Bhaldarpura area where around 500 to 600 people from a minority community had gathered near Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. He was later arrested, the official said.
When asked if Khan was the mastermind of the violence, Nagpur Police Commissioner Virender Singal told reporters that investigations are underway to identify attackers and the role of the persons named in the FIR.
"Some names have come up. Police will investigate whether these people had any role from the beginning, whether they had criminal backgrounds, or whether they were planning (violence). All these aspects are being probed," he added.
He said six FIRs have been registered so far.
Violent mobs went on a rampage in central Nagpur areas on Monday night amid rumours that a ‘chadar’ with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by VHP and Bajrang Dal for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said no `chadar' with Quranic verses had been burnt during the VHP protest.
More than 50 persons were taken into custody after combing operations and a curfew was imposed in parts of Nagpur.
Meanwhile, a defence lawyer claimed that computer engineers and school-going children were among those arrested, and many of them were innocent.
As many as 27 accused were produced before the local court on Tuesday and 11 of them were referred to the Government Medical College Hospital, said advocate Asif Qureshi.
They were remanded in police custody for two days, he told PTI.
Most of the accused were at home with their families during Monday's incidents of violence and arson, he claimed.
"School-going boys, computer engineers and working people who had come home for Ramzan are among those arrested," the lawyer added.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
