BHOPAL: A Muslim cleric here has been booked by the police for inciting communal violence in old Bhopal localities over offering of prayers at a heritage structure last Tuesday.
The cleric identified as Abdul Razzak, the mufti of Tarjume Wali Masjid in Bhopal, has been booked under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code by the Kohefiza police. Razzak, a Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader, is yet to be arrested.
“We’re investigating the allegations levelled against the cleric by the complainants and based on the outcome of the probe, appropriate action will be initiated,” said additional superintendent of police (ASP) Rajesh Bhadauriya on
Friday. The ASP further said 128 people have so far been arrested in the four cases lodged by the police in connection with the violence on Tuesday.
According to police sources, a number of leaders from saffron outfits had complained alleging the cleric’s hand in inciting the violence.
While Bhopal’s shahar mufti (supreme Muslim cleric of Bhopal) Abul Qalam’s signed note was put up near the heritage structure urging people not to offer prayers there, Razzak had allegedly incited the community members not to follow the shahar mufti’s appeal, and instead offer prayers.