New Delhi: A group of people involved in the violence that took place in Nagpur Monday inappropriately touched an on-duty woman police officer at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Putla Chowk, according to one of the FIRs lodged in connection with the violence.
They took advantage of the darkness and touched the woman officer “with the intention of undressing her”, while also making obscene gestures and remarks to other on-duty women officers, the FIR further stated.
The FIR mentioned multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932, the Public Property Damage Prevention Act, 1984, the Maharashtra Police Act 1951, etc. It also listed 51 named accused and unnamed others.
On Monday, the city president of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP) Fahim Khan approached the police to file a complaint against Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal members, who had been holding protests in the Mahal area, demanding the demolition of Aurangzeb’s tomb.
Around the same time, a crowd of people assembled at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Putla Chowk, the police inspector of the Ganeshpeth police station alleged in the FIR, adding that a group of outlaws, with axes and petrol bombs, were among them.
“They (the accused) spread false rumours and a feeling of hostility towards the police. Due to this, the crowd became more agitated,” the FIR said. “Due to this, both men and women police officers were deployed there. The crowd, however, did not leave despite police appeals.”
The accused had an aim to create terror in the area, promote enmity between religions, and disturb social harmony, the FIR added.
The Nagpur City Police, so far, have filed five FIRs since the violence in Nagpur’s Mahal area. At least 38 people were injured, including Deputy Commissioner of Police-level officers.
Speaking to ThePrint, Zone 3 DCP Mahak Swami said that so far, 34 people accused of orchestrating the violence have been taken into custody, while another 30 people are under the scanner for their suspected role behind the arson incidents.
“The situation has eased but is yet to return to normalcy. Five companies of the State Reserve Police Force and four of Riot Control Police, along with the entire strength of the Nagpur City Police, are ensuring round-the-clock patrolling to ensure law and order is not disturbed,” she told ThePrint.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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