GHAZIABAD: Police have invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against Samajwadi Party functionary Ummed Phelwan Idris, who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly giving a communal twist to a June 5 assault on a 72-year-old man in Loni.
Police have accused Idris of instigating the victim, Abdul Samad, who had in a video alleged he had been targeted in a hate crime. Later, police said they had evidence to show Samad and the main accused in the assault, Pravesh Gujjar, knew each other and Pravesh had a personal grudge against Samad. Idris also allegedly hosted a Facebook live with Samad by his side. He was arrested on June 19.
“Action has been taken against him under sub-section 2 of Section 3 of the National Security Act 1980,” said Atul Kumar Sonkar, circle officer, Loni.
Idris was booked on June 16 under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 505 (publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report with intent to incite) of the IPC and under Section 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) of the IT Act. The complaint was filed by sub-inspector Naresh Singh at Loni border police station.
A senior police officer said Idris was booked under section 308 (culpable homicide) of the IPC in 2006 in Pilkhuwa and since then, at least four cases were lodged against him in Hapur and Loni.
