Nagpur Violence: 8 VHP, Bajrang Dal Activists Released On Bail After Surrender; 69 Arrested So Far | Details

Amid the intensifying row over the recent communal violence Maharashtra's Nagpur, eight functionaries of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on Wednesday surrendered before the Nagpur Police. Investigations are uderway concerning charges of hurting religious sentiments that triggered the violence on Monday.

According to PTI, the accused were produced in court on Wednesday which granted them bail. The accused have been identified as Amol Thakre, Mantri, VHP, Nagpur city; Lakhan Kuril, Goraksha Pramukh, Vidarbha Prant; Mukesh Barapatre, President of Central Nagpur, VHP; Rishabh Arkhel, Co-convenor of Bajrang Dal, Vidarbha; Shubham Arkhel, Co-convenor of Bajrang Dal, Nagpur City; Sushil Chaurasiya, VHP worker; Ramacharan Dubey, and Kamal Haryani, Convenor of Bajrang Dal, Nagpur City.

The Kotwali Police booked them over allegations of hurting religious sentiments by organising a protest in Nagpur city on Monday over the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, situated in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. So far, six FIRs have been registered against 1,200 individuals 69 have been arrested.

What Happened In Nagpur?

On Monday night, violence erupted as mobs went on a rampage in central Nagpur areas triggered by rumours that a 'chadar' with holy inscriptions was reortedly burnt during protests led by VHP and Bajrang Dal for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

It has been reported that some rioters also allegedly misbehaved with a woman constable and tried to disrobe her during the violence, as per an FIR.

However, taking cognisance of the situation, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis firmly refuted the claim of a 'chadar' with Quranic verses being burnt during the VHP protest.

"Only a replica of Aurangzeb's grave was burnt (during the VHP's protest). We have verified that no ayat (verses from the Quran) was burnt. But rumours were spread deliberately," he told the legislative assembly.

Minority Democratic Party Leader Fahim Khan Arrested

On Wednesday, police arrested Minority Democratic Party (MDP) leader Fahim Khan for allegedly spearheading a protest outside a Nagpur police station on Monday.Moreover, police are also investigating whether Khan played any role in instigating riots, as per PTI.

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.

State Cyber Cell Flags Inflammatory Social Media Content

Amid the political turmoil over the Nagpur violence, Maharashtra Cyber Cell on Wednesday flagged over 140 objectionable social media contents, including posts and videos aimed at inciting communal unrest regarding the Nagpur violence, officials said on Wednesday.

Commenting on the matter, an official told PTI that notices have been issued under section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology (IT) Act 2000 to facilitate the immediate take-down of such content.

Additionally, notices were also served under section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to uncover the real identities of the individuals operating these accounts.