CCTV footage showing Santosh returning to hit Anas's uncle Fardeen | Photo: Siasat
Agra: A young man identified as Anas was allegedly assaulted on Tuesday, January 20, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, after a man under the influence of alcohol reportedly questioned his identity and targeted him for being Muslim.
According to local media reports, Anas, who lives in the Kamal Khan area, was on his way to visit his grandmother along with his uncle, Fardeen, when they were stopped by a man identified as Santosh.
Reports said Santosh asked Anas his name and then questioned his religious identity, following which he allegedly attacked him with a stick. Police officials said the initial altercation took place between youths from the same neighbourhood within the jurisdiction of the Tajganj police station and was initially defused by Fardeen at the scene.
However, police said Santosh later returned and allegedly assaulted Fardeen after the situation had been brought under control. CCTV footage from the area reportedly shows Santosh coming back to the spot and attacking Fardeen after the earlier scuffle had subsided, Siasat Daily reported.
An official from the Tajganj police station said that Santosh was intoxicated at the time of the incident. The official maintained that the matter was not being treated as a communal issue and said a case was registered following a complaint lodged by Fardeen.
The police further stated that Santosh was arrested in connection with the incident and has been remanded to judicial custody.
Additionally, in a statement on X, the police said, “The police investigation has not confirmed the allegation of assault after asking for his name. Therefore, please do not spread misleading news.”
Meanwhile, the victim, Anas, claims that Santosh began to hit him only after ascertaining that he was Muslim, causing him injuries.