Nagpur violence: Alleged mastermind Fahim Khan arrested

Nagpur: The Nagpur police on Wednesday arrested Faheem Khan, city president of the Minority Democratic Party, identifying him as the alleged mastermind behind the communal violence that erupted on March 17. The clashes left several people, including police personnel, injured.

Khan, 38, was presented in court, which granted the police his custody until March 21. He is among 51 individuals named in an FIR linked to the violence and has been accused of instigating the mob. Notably, Khan had initially gone to the police station to give a statement but later allegedly mobilized a group, escalating tensions.

According to police sources, Khan gathered 30 to 40 people at 11 a.m. ahead of a Bajrang Dal and VHP protest demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s grave. In his statement, he accused the VHP and Bajrang Dal of provoking unrest, but authorities claim he incited the mob by alleging police bias against his community.

The FIR, lodged at Ganesh Peth, includes serious charges such as conspiracy to commit rape, molestation, and misconduct with women. Investigators suspect a premeditated effort to incite violence and attack law enforcement personnel. They are probing how a trolley full of stones was brought to the site and how such a large crowd was mobilized.

Faheem Khan had previously contested state Assembly elections but was unsuccessful.

To prevent further unrest, police have imposed a curfew in 11 police station limits across Zones 3, 4, and 5 of Nagpur city. Residents have been instructed to stay indoors unless necessary and avoid gathering in groups of more than five.

Meanwhile, life remains normal in other parts of Nagpur, with public transport running smoothly and daily activities continuing as usual.

With IANS inputs