AGRA: Three FIRs have been registered against 60 known and 350 unidentified people for taking out a procession here on Thursday to press for withdrawal of a case against the city mufti who was booked in a case of alleged “insult to national honour”.
The protestors have been booked under IPC sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly guilty of offence), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and provisions of the Epidemic Disease Act.
A large police force has been deployed around the Jama Masjid and minority-dominated localities in the city.
Shivram Yadav, superintendent of police, said, “The procession was taken out in violation of CrPC section 144 (prohibits public gatherings) and Covid-19 protocol.The entire matter is being investigated based on the video recordings. Names of people who circulated content on social media calling for the protest and supported the procession will be added in the FIR.”
On Wednesday, an FIR was registered against city mufti Mazidul Kudhush Khubaeb Rumi and his son, Hummdul Khudhush, for allegedly opposing the rendition of the national anthem and flag-hoisting inside the Jama Masjid premises on Independence Day.
Local Muslim leaders claimed that the shahr mufti had never opposed hoisting of the national flag but merely suggested that it should not be done at a sacred space where namaz is offered.
Vice-president of the All India Jamaitul Quresh Jamiluddin Qureshi, who has been named in the FIR, said, “The shahr mufti has been framed in a wrong and false case. We staged a peaceful protest and demanded that the FIR against the mufti should be withdrawn. We will continue our protest against the injustice.”
