AGRA: More than 150 people have been booked in Agra for offering namaaz on the road in front of a mosque without prior permission from the police.
The devotees had the permission from the local administration for performing taraweeh prayer during Ramaadan for a week from April 2 to 9 (8 to 10 pm), which got revoked after they violated the time limit and disrupted traffic, causing difficulties for the locals during Navaratri festivities, said the police.
An FIR has been registered against three identified and 150 unidentified people under IPC Sections 153 A (Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), violating prohibitory orders of section 144 and Section 3, 5 of The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
According to police, since the conditions of permission were violated, it was revoked by the administration on April 4 but prayers were offered even after that, which promoted hatred on the basis of religion among the srupting roads or traffic.
SSP Sudhir Kumar Singh told TOI that the matter is being investigated and action will be taken against the culprits.
