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Atiq Ahmed shootout: Accused Arun Maurya was part of WhatsApp group ‘Sher-e-Atiq’ created by Atiq’s son Asad, later joined Gang-90

OpIndia Staff
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Atiq Ahmed shootout: Accused Arun Maurya was part of WhatsApp group ‘Sher-e-Atiq’ created by Atiq’s son Asad, later joined Gang-90

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the assassination of the mafia don Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed revealed on Friday that one of their assailants, Arun Maurya, was a part of the Whatsapp group ‘Sher-e-Atiq’ created by Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad Ahmed. The revelation was reportedly made while SIT was interrogating the three shooters, Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari.

According to reports, the Whatsapp group was created to glorify Atiq Ahmed. Photos and videos of the dreaded gangster and stories extolling his supremacy and clout were regularly shared on the group with the aim to “target politically aware youth in Prayagraj and encourage them to work for Atiq.”

The Whatsapp group was created by none other than Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad Ahmed, who was killed in retaliatory firing by the Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh police on 13 April. The WhatsApp group was created before the murder of Umesh Pal. Old videos of Mafia Atiq Ahmed and stories of how he used to terrorise people used to be shared in the group.

Asad Ahmed was the administrator of this group, which included 56 members from 14 districts. Asad’s friends and members of the Ateeq Ahmed gang were associated with the Sher-e-Ateeq group. The WhatsApp group was deleted a couple of days before the murder of Umesh Pal.

Maurya joined another group Gang-90 after ‘Sher-e-Atiq’ was shut down. He met co-accused Sunny and Lovelesh through this Gang-90. Gang-90 was named after the RTO registration number 90 of Banda.

The fact that Arun was part of a group made by Asad shows that he was known to the gangster.

SIT recreates the crime scene as part of probe into Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf Ahmed’s murder

Meanwhile, yesterday (April 20) the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recreated the crime scene as part of its ongoing investigation into Atiq Ahmed and his brother’s murder. Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead while being taken for a medical checkup on 15th April 2023 at around 10:40 pm.

Atiq and his brother Ashraf were interacting with media persons when 3 miscreants, who posed as media persons, opened fire at Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed on April 15.

The police had arrested the three from the spot at the time of the incident. Many cases were already registered against the trio. The court sent the three killers, namely, Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari to judicial custody for 14 days. 

Assasins reveal their motive behind the shooting of the mafia dons

During interrogation, the three had reportedly revealed their motive behind the murder. According to Jagran, the trio informed that they took out Ahmed for killing innocent people. “Atiq Ahmed use to kill for grabbing land and would not spare those who testified against him. His brother Ashraf was also involved. So, we killed both of them”, they were quoted as saying. The trio also told the police that they killed Atiq Ahmed and his brother over their ties with Pakist

According to Times Navabharat, Atiq Ahmed and his gang had killed a relative of one of the assassins and they eliminated the gangster-politician to avenge that murder.

As per a report by Times Now, the assassins were small-time criminals who wanted to become famous by killing Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf.

It has also come to light that Sunny, Arun Maurya and Lavlesh Tiwari had previously gone to jail in different cases.

‘We are in readiness’: MEA reassures Indians stranded in Sudan; EAM S Jaishankar holds talks with UN Secretary-General

OpIndia Staff
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‘We are in readiness’: MEA reassures Indians stranded in Sudan; EAM S Jaishankar holds talks with UN Secretary-General

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Ministry of External Affairs has reassured Indian nationals, stranded in the Northeastern African nation, of all possible help.

As per reports, about 3000 Indian nationals are believed to be stranded in Sudan. This also includes 100 members of the Hakki-Pikki tribe, who originally belong to the Indian State of Karnataka.

On Thursday (April 20), MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed, “We are in readiness. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground but it all depends on how long there is a ceasefire in fighting and safe locations available for evacuation.”

Reportedly, the Ministry of External Affairs is co-ordinating with countries such as the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (US) and Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety of the Indian nationals in Sudan.

Citing sources, The Tribune reported that the Indian ambassador in Washington DC and High Commissioner in London are in constant touch with the host governments. The Indian diplomats are also working closely with the United Nations, which has a large presence in Sudan.

As part of its overall effort to rescue stranded Indian nationals in Sudan, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held talks with the UN Secretary-General Antonia Guterres.

“Discussed the current developments in Sudan, G20 Presidency and Ukraine. Focus understandably was on Sudan. India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire, leading to creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with UN and other partners in this regard,” he informed in a tweet.

Earlier on Tuesday (April 18), the Indian Embassy in Sudan issued a precautionary advisory for Indian citizens against venturing out, suggesting to ration supplies as the “situation may continue for a few more days.” 

UP: 13-year-old boy arrested for raping his minor cousin in Mohanlalganj

OpIndia Staff
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UP: 13-year-old boy arrested for raping his minor cousin in Mohanlalganj

On the evening of Wednesday, April 19, a 13-year-old boy allegedly raped his two-year-old cousin in Mohanlalganj in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, the juvenile accused brought the minor girl to a tin shed where he allegedly forced himself upon her before fleeing when she began to cry out of pain. When the girl eventually returned home, her mother noticed her wounds and thought something was not right.

It has been reported that the accused allegedly made a similar attempt earlier as well, however, he was let go. This time, however, the accused boy has been arrested by the police on the basis of the complaint lodged by the victim’s father. 

According to the police, the accused has a habit of watching pornographic videos on his phone.

It has been stated in the complaint that it was when the girl was playing outside her house that her cousin, came over to play with her. The victim’s father and her mother had left to work in the field with their 8-month-old second child. Meanwhile, the accused took the victim to his house. According to the victim’s father, his brother, and sister-in-law were also not present at home at that time.

The cousin took advantage of the situation and raped his sister. He allegedly left the girl close to the house after she reportedly began bleeding from her private parts. She was crying in pain. When the girl’s parents arrived home, they enquired as to why she was crying. The girl said her brother assaulted her. Everyone at the time tried to calm her down. However, the minor girl began to cry out in pain the following morning, and the victim’s mother saw wounds and bleeding near the victim’s private part. 

Meanwhile, SHO Mohanlalganj, Kuldeep Dubey stated, “When asked, the victim revealed the name of her cousin.” When the victim’s father went to the accused’s house to complain to him, he was allegedly abused, harassed, and assaulted with a stick.

“The accused boy, who is in class 9, also engaged in lewd behaviour with the girl a few days earlier. The SHO stated, “We arrested him and sent him to a juvenile home,” SHO Dubey added.

‘Why the vengeance against this man?’ CJI questions application of NSA in Manish Kashyap case

OpIndia Staff
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‘Why the vengeance against this man?’ CJI questions application of NSA in Manish Kashyap case

The Tamil Nadu government’s act of invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against Bihar-based YouTuber Manish Kashyap for allegedly spreading fake videos of attacks on migrant labourers in the state was questioned by the Supreme Court of India on Friday.

“Mr Sibal, why NSA for this?”, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud questioned Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for the state government. “Why this vengeance against this man?” he asked further.

In response to this, Sibal said that Kashyap had made fake videos saying Biharis were getting attacked in the state of Tamil Nadu. “He has got 60 lakh followers. He is a politician. He has contested elections. He is not a journalist”, Sibal added.

According to the counsel, several FIRs have been filed against Kashyap in both Bihar and Tamil Nadu at present. Kashyap has been described as a habitual offender by Bihar’s attorney and he faces substantial charges, including Section 307.

In light of the several FIRs filed against Kashyap, the state was also urged by the supreme court to refrain from transferring him from the jail in Madurai to another facility.

Manish Kashyap, a YouTuber from Bihar, was held on April 6 under the National Security Act (NSA) in Bihar after he circulated alleged fake videos showing assaults on migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu. Kashyap surrendered as the Bihar Police conducted raids on the possible hideouts of the accused.

It was reported earlier that Kashyap had tweeted a ‘fake video’ of the attacks on migrant workers from Bihar in Tamil Nadu which went viral over social media. The video was however created by the main accused Rakesh Ranjan Kumar, a native of Gopalganj district in rented accommodation in Patna. The videos were debunked as fake by the police department.

The Court has decided to hear the case next on April 29.

BJP slams Congress for Imran Pratapgarhi’s inclusion in ‘star campaigners’ list for Karnataka after an old video of Atiq Ahmed praising him goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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BJP slams Congress for Imran Pratapgarhi’s inclusion in ‘star campaigners’ list for Karnataka after an old video of Atiq Ahmed praising him goes viral

After Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi was added to the list of the Congress’ 40-star campaigners for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections on Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party launched an attack against the party on Thursday, branding him an ‘anti-national.’ The 224-seat Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 10 with results rebounding on May 13.

Shobha Karandlaje, the convener of the party’s Karnataka Election Management Committee and the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, wanted to know the ‘relationship’ between the Congress and the recently shot dead gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmad.

She asserted that Pratapgarhi was a close ally of the slain mafia and had referred to the criminal as his teacher and brother. She stated that he had written poems in celebration of the notorious criminal who had attended his ‘mushaira’ (a gathering in which poets recite Urdu poetry).

“One name (in the list of Congress star campaigners) that makes us anxious is that of a person who was a close aide of dreaded gangster of Uttar Pradesh, Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf Ahmed and his son Asad Ahmed. Asad was killed in a police encounter while Atiq and his brother Ashraf were killed by the public on their way to the hospital. Pratapgarhi is a close friend of Atiq Ahmed and kept referring to him as his ‘guru’ (teacher) and ‘brother.’ He used to write ‘shayaris’ (poetry) about him,” she charged.

“Despite knowing that Imran Pratapgarhi was involved in ‘anti-national activities’, you (Congress) send him to the Rajya Sabha and appoint him as Karnataka’s star campaigner,” she slammed the opposition party.

She alleged that Imran Pratapgrahi had composed and recited poetry not just in favour of Atiq Ahmed, but also against India, and society and incited Muslims against Hindus.

The Congress, according to BJP MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, is ‘allowing the entry of destructive elements and fundamentalists.’ “Imran Pratapgarhi used to write poetry praising Atiq. Atiq too attended Pratapgarhi’s poetry concerts. Imran’s poems laud anti-nationals, anti-socials and instigated Muslims against Hindus,” he remarked.

However, defending the party’s move, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh commented, “Imran Pratapgarhi is the chairman of our party’s minority cell and he will be coming. What is wrong with that? We are not calling the person who has committed a crime or is behind the bars.” 

The background of the issue

Recently, a video of Imran Pratapgarhi was making the rounds on social media, where he can be heard showering high praise on Atiq Ahmed in his poetry. “This is a poet’s declaration which can never be dispelled. Now no one will ever be able to match your stature. People of Allahabad, remember my words, there will be no Atiq Ahmed for many centuries,” he sang in a reportedly 7-year-old video.

Kanchan Gupta, a senior adviser at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in the Government of India also took to Twitter to post about the close bond shared between the poet and the mobster. The poet is seen with both Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed in two different pictures, who were invited to the former’s residence.

Now, another undated video has surfaced in which Atiq Ahmed is lauding Imran Pratapgarhi in a rally. The former complimented the poet and called him ‘his heartbeat.’ He even asked for people to vote for Imran Pratapgarhi who was in Samajwadi Party then and make the latter a ‘king’ of Pratapgarh. The gangster complimented him as someone who always speaks the truth because he is a poet.

The entire video can be watched here where Atiq Ahmed is applauding Samajwadi Party and its leaders, particularly, late Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav.

Atiq Ahmed’s criminal history

Atiq Ahmed was just 17 years old when he was first accused of murder. He was the subject of 102 cases, including kidnapping, attempted murder, and threats. The initial complaint was filed against him in 1979 and he was the first person to be charged with a crime under the ‘Gangster Act’ in Uttar Pradesh. The act was invoked against him thrice. He conducted meetings and maintained his criminal enterprise even while confined to various jails in the state. He was one of the prime accused in the murder of both BSP MLA Raju Pal and its primary witness Umesh Pal.

He was shot dead along with his brother Ashraf Ahmed alias Khalid Azim, another accused who had 52 cases against him when they were on their way to hospital by three perpetrators, Sunny Singh, Lovelesh Tiwari and Arun Maurya, who immediately surrendered and were taken into custody by the police present at the scene.

OpIndia Editor-in-Chief and CEO get 1-month protection from arrest in the FIR filed by Tamil Nadu police, to approach Madras HC

OpIndia Staff
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OpIndia Editor-in-Chief and CEO get 1-month protection from arrest in the FIR filed by Tamil Nadu police, to approach Madras HC

On the 21st of April 2023, a Supreme Court bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha granted 4 weeks of protection to OpIndia editor-in-chief Nupur J Sharma and CEO Rahul Roushan in the FIR filed against them by the Tamil Nadu police. The Supreme Court bench said that they cannot quash the FIR, since that is the domain of the High Court but will protect the petitioner from any coercive action by the Tamil Nadu police.

Nupur J Sharma and Rahul Roushan were represented by Mr Mahesh Jethmalani and Ravi Sharma. Their request for quashing of the FIRs under Section 32 was denied by CJI Chandrachud. The CJI then asked the petitioners to approach Madras High Court under Section 482.

While denying the request for hearing the matter for quashing the FIR, Justice Chandrachud said that under the law, it would not be appropriate if the Supreme Court directly quashes the FIR, however, he will protect the petitioner.

Further, when Mr Jethmalani requested the Court to direct Tamil Nadu police to conduct questioning over video conference if the need arises, given that Rahul Roushan is suffering from COVID and Nupur J Sharma has a 6-year-old child and is unable to travel, the CJI said that he has already granted protection from coercive action. He further joked that given the CEO has COVID, the police themselves would be scared to call him in for questioning and therefore, the petitioners should not worry.

The Editor-in-Chief took to Twitter to thank her lawyers and said that OpIndia would follow due process of the law and ensure this malicious prosecution by the Tamil Nadu govt is thwarted.

What is the FIR about

Earlier in April, the Tamil Nadu police filed an FIR against Nupur J Sharma and Rahul Roushan for an OpIndia report that covered the allegations made by the daily Dainik Bhaskar about Bihari migrant workers being attacked in Tamil Nadu. The report by OpIndia carried the allegations by Bhaskar, the statement of the Bihar CM (Nitish Kumar) and the statement of the Tamil Nadu police.

Based on the complaint of one Mr Suryaprakash, who is a DMK leader and part of the IT Cell, the Tamil Nadu police filed an FIR under sections 153-A, 501, and 505 of the IPC.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh sign historic MoU to settle border dispute. Here is everything you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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Assam and Arunachal Pradesh sign historic MoU to settle border dispute. Here is everything you need to know

On Thursday (April 20), a 51-year-old border dispute between the North-Eastern states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh was resolved through the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states in Delhi.

The Chief Ministers of both States, Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam) and Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh) signed the MoU in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is an MP from Arunachal.

Under this MoU, the dispute over the 804 km long border between the two states has been resolved. The discussions were held on 8 border areas of Assam and 12 of Arunachal Pradesh. 12 regional committees, each headed by a cabinet minister, were formed for the discussions.

Among the 123 villages under dispute, the two states have arrived at a final mutual understanding concerning 71 villages under the MoU. Of these 71 villages, one village from Arunachal Pradesh will be included in Assam while 60 villages from Assam will be transferred to Arunachal Pradesh. 10 villages, which are currently part of Assam, will continue to remain the territory of the State.

From the remaining 52 villages, the boundary of the remaining 49 villages will be finalised within the following 6 months by the regional committees, after studies done by the Survey of India. Both states have agreed to maintain the status quo in these areas until a final settlement is reached. 3 villages fall within the bombing range of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and will require rehabilitation of the residents.

The MoU also made it clear that no new claim over any territory can be made by either State in the future and that the agreement is ‘full and final.’ Under the agreement, there will be better communication between the two states over border issues. Moreover, joint surveys will be done to resolve any disputes that may arise in the future.

While speaking about the matter, Amit Shah said, “We are witness to a historic moment today. The Local Commission report of 1972 remained disputed at various levels, sometimes at the level of the government, sometimes in the Supreme Court.”

He added, “By accepting the report, the two states have ended the dispute over the 800 km of boundary…This is a huge achievement. I believe the work that should have been done immediately after Independence is being done now.”

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The signing of an MoU between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh today to settle an inter-state boundary dispute will prove to be a milestone. This will bring peace and development to the Northeast region.”

Himanta Biswa Sarma said that various factors were taken into consideration while deciding which state will get the individual disputed villages. The prime consideration was the demography of the villages. Moreover, the distance from the district headquarters and administrative convenience were also considered. Several public hearings were conducted at the disputed places to obtain the opinion of the people.

He said, “The long-standing border issue between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has been resolved by commemorating 75 years of Independence. The Home Minister had instructed us to discuss the issue and the Assam government held several meetings thereafter. The signing of a MoU between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh today to settle an inter-state boundary dispute will prove to be a milestone. This will bring peace and development to the Northeast region.”

CM Sarma said that the agreement was reached with a sisterly give-and-take approach, with the disputed states going to both states. He further added that the Arunachal Pradesh govt had rights to a large stretch of disputed land in Jorhat town in Assam, and the Arunachal govt accepted the Assam government’s request to hand over that land to Assam.

“We have arrived at a mutual understanding concerning 123 villages under the instructions of Amit Shah. This will bring great peace to the Northeastern region,” the Assam CM further said.

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu tweeted, “This momentous occasion will ensure sustained, lasting peace and spur our shared growth and overall prosperity in North East.” He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister for being the guiding force in the historic border resolution.

The Background of the border dispute

Arunachal Pradesh was carved out of ‘undivided Assam’ in 1972 and was declared a Union Territory. Soon after, it claimed that forest tracks in the plains, which belonged to tribal communities, were unilaterally handed over to Assam.

Arunachal Pradesh was granted Statehood in 1987. Thereafter, a tripartite committee was formed to look into the border dispute. It recommended the transfer of certain territories, held by Assam, to Arunachal Pradesh.

The matter was challenged before the Supreme Court in 1989 by the then Government of Assam. The border dispute and allegations of land encroachment led to occasional flare-ups and incidents of violence in the 1990s.

In 2007, Arunachal Pradesh reportedly lay claim over 123 villages, located between its 12 districts and 8 districts of Assam, before a Local Commission appointed by the Supreme Court.

Despite negotiations, no consensus was reached between the two States. Prodded by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh decided to settle the matter outside of court, through mutual discussions, in 2021.

Formal talks began between the two sides in January 2022. In April of that year, it was decided to form 12 regional committees to conduct surveys in disputed areas.

The committees were tasked to find solutions while taking several factors such as ethnicity, contiguity, historical perspective, people’s will and administrative convenience in mind.

In July 2022, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh signed the ‘Namsai Declaration’ and resolved the dispute over 37 villages. Thus, the two governments were able to bring down the number of disputed villages from 123 to 86.

It must be mentioned that Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share the longest border (804 km) in the North-East. Earlier in March 2022, Assam and Meghalaya also signed a historic pact and ended a 51-year-old border dispute. Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that MoUs with Nagaland and Mizoram would also be signed shortly to settle the border disputes.

The Assam CM said that when he had met Amit Shah before taking oath as CM, the home minister had told him that the 75th year of independence is the best time to settle all border disputes in the northeast. Accordingly, Assam started talking to all the states about the issue, and the Assam-Meghalaya boundary agreement was the first result.

NCP president Sharad Pawar meets industrialist Gautam Adani, days after criticising Opposition’s ruckus in Parliament over Hindenburg issue

OpIndia Staff
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NCP president Sharad Pawar meets industrialist Gautam Adani, days after criticising Opposition’s ruckus in Parliament over Hindenburg issue

On Thursday, April 20, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar and industrialist Gautam Adani had a two-hour-long meeting at Pawar’s Silver Oak residence. Adani reportedly arrived at Pawar’s residence at around 10 am on Thursday. Though not much has been disclosed about the meeting, media reorts state that the two discussed various issues concerning the country.

The meeting comes days after Pawar raised a stir in the camp of the Opposition earlier this month when he declared that he was opposed to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into a report by short-selling firm Hindenburg on the Adani Group because he believed the Adani Group was being “targeted.”

In an interview with NDTV, Pawar said, “Such statements were given by other individuals too earlier and there was a ruckus in parliament for a few days but this time out of proportion importance was given to the issue. The issues that were kept, who kept them, we had never heard of these people who gave the statement, what is the background. When they raise issues that cause a ruckus across the country, the cost is borne by the country’s economy, we cannot disregard these things. It seemed that an individual industrial group was targeted.”

Furthermore, Pawar distanced himself from the Congress’s demand for a JPC probe and stated that he disagreed with the Congress-led Opposition’s decision to stall Parliament on the issue.

He claimed that following the demand was made, the Supreme Court opened an inquiry and formed a team that included a former judge of the supreme court, an expert, an administrator, and an economist. They received guidelines and a deadline for conducting the investigation.

In another development, NCP leader Ajit Pawar has reportedly said that the charges against industrialist Gautam Adani and the Adani Group have not been proven yet adding that the allegations are yet to be established. Pawar gave this statement in the context of the Hindenberg report.

Firing inside Delhi’s Saket Court by person disguised as an advocate, woman injured

OpIndia Staff
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Firing inside Delhi’s Saket Court by person disguised as an advocate, woman injured

On Friday, a woman in the Saket Court in Delhi was injured after she was shot by one of the persons who disguised as an advocate. The accused person is said to have shot four rounds at the woman. The victim has been shifted to the hospital and is being treated.

According to the reports, the woman and the accused man knew each other and had a conflict over financial issues. The accused has been identified by the police and is said to be a local history sheeter. The woman who has been shot meanwhile has attained severe injuries in her stomach.

On September 24 of last year, a similar incident was reported in which two assassins had dressed as attorneys and had opened fire inside the Rohini court in Delhi. The duo were however killed in Police firing. The two attackers, Rahul Tyagi and Jagdeep Jagga, reportedly pretended to be attorneys in order to enter the courtroom and shot mobster Jitender Maan alias Gogi many times.

Also, the Rohini court witnessed gunfire in April of last year after an altercation between two solicitors and their only client. In the current case, the police have been deployed at the Saket court and the investigations in the case are underway.

Satara: Hindu group demands removal of Masjid illegally built on govt land in Phaltan, vows to build Hanuman temple if Masjid not removed

Siddhi Somani
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Satara: Hindu group demands removal of Masjid illegally built on govt land in Phaltan, vows to build Hanuman temple if Masjid not removed

A local Hindu organization in the city of Satara, which was once the seat of the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, has raised objection over a Masjid that has been illegally built on government land. The members of the Hindu organization have demanded the removal of the illegal structure and have vowed to build a huge Hanuman Mandir on the spot if their demands are not fulfilled.

The incident is said to have happened in the Phaltan village of Satara district, Maharashtra. The Masjid in question was allegedly illegally built in the year 2013 and the premises of the already built illegal structure were further illegally expanded in the year 2021, during the lockdown. Some of the Muslim members in the area have also recently put up a board of ‘Dargah and Masjid Trust’ there, which according to the protesting Hindu members is not in existence.

Considering the fact, the Hindu organizations have demanded an investigation into the matter and also removal of the illegal structure from the government land in Phaltan.

Bombay HC in 2013 had ordered to take action against the Masjid

As per the information obtained by OpIndia, the saga began in the year 2012, when the Masjid in question was built by a few local Muslims residing in the Malthan part of the village. Later a PIL was filed by one of the Hindu activists named Mangesh Khandare who stated that the Masjid was illegally built on government land. Khandare in the PIL published the relevant evidence and sought the removal of the illegally built structure.

The petitioner also prayed to direct the respondents to investigate the antecedent of the owners and developers of the said structure and to take appropriate legal action against them. The Bombay High Court took cognizance of the PIL in the year 2013 and ordered the relevant authorities to take action against the Masjid within 10 weeks and communicate the same to the petitioner. But no action was taken back then. No action has been taken to date.

Bombay High Court order copy obtained by OpIndia

One Muslim woman claimed ownership of land, case was dismissed by Court

The matter became more intriguing after the Bombay High Court’s decision, as a Muslim woman from the village, identified as Mumtaj Mujavar claimed that she was the owner of the said government land. She filed a legal case to claim the ownership of the land and stated that the property belonged to her paternal aunt named Ashabi Kom Hussain Mujavar (now deceased). Mumtaj further claimed that Ashabi was unmarried and hence, she (Mumtaj) was her only heir. According to Mumtaj, the Indian government illegally grabbed the land after the partition of India in the year 1947. “We came to know about the illegal grabbing only in 2012. The land belongs to my aunt and now it should be transferred in our name,” Mumtaj pleaded.

Mumtaj appealed in court that property was Ashabi’s and now she was the only heir

To this, the Satara court asked the woman to give the names and current addresses of the Ashabi and also asked to publish a notice in the local newspaper. Mumtaj then failed to submit the requirements and also did not face the court for the next year. The court was then about to dismiss the application during its last hearing in December 2012, but in the interest of justice has decided to give one more opportunity to the applicant (Mumtaj). However, the matter was finally dismissed in the year 2019, a copy of which has been attached below.

Dismissal order obtained by OpIndia

One of the members of the Hindu organizations, Akshay Taware while talking to OpIndia said that the Court had almost dismissed the claim in 2018 and that the ownership claims put forth by the woman are baseless. “The Ashabi she’s talking about went to Pakistan during the 1947 partition and then the property was declared as government property. Now it is government land and an illegal Masjid has been built on it. The Bombay High Court in 2013 had asked the authorities to take action against the illegal structure but to date no action has been taken. The Court has also dismissed the woman’s claim, still, the government authorities are taking no action,” he said.

Muslim population increased after Masjid was built and illegally expanded

Akshay, who is also a resident of the Malthan area, stated that there was no Masjid before 2012 and that a few Muslim persons used to gather at their private properties (homes) to offer Namaz. After the construction of the Masjid, the Muslim population in the area increased significantly.

“Before 2012, around 4-5 Muslim families used to gather at one of their homes and used to offer Namaz. Later someone spotted the vacant government property and put up a small shed there. Slowly a proper Masjid was built there and now people illegally gather at the Masjid area and even host Iftaar parties. The Masjid was also expanded in the year 2021, during the lockdown and the difference can be clearly seen in the satellite images of the area,” Akshay said.

In the images that were obtained by OpIndia, it could be seen that the Masjid authorities have expanded the controversial property by installing a blue shed behind the Masjid. The same blue shed is not visible in the satellite image grabbed from before the year 2021.

Satellite images showing the illegal expansion of the blue shed. (Images obtained by OpIndia)

Illegal ‘Dargah and Masjid Trust’ board put up, large crowd gatherings causing inconvenience for local Hindus

Kandhare and Taware further revealed to OpIndia that during Ramzan recently the Muslims had put up an illegal board which indicated that the Masjid belongs to the ‘Dargah and Masjid Trust’. “The trust that they are claiming is not in existence. The board they have put up is also illegal. Which trust is this, who looks after this, who has built the Masjid, and where did they arrange the money from to build it? there are many questions and nobody has answers to this,” Taware said.

He also said that the large crowds gathered in the Masjid surrounding cause inconvenience to local Hindus, especially women. Kandhare on April 18 visited the Satara Endowment Commissioner’s office to inquire about the claimed ‘Dargah and Masjid Trust’ and sought removal of the illegal trust board put up outside the Masjid in Malthan.

The authorities there happened to state that there is no registration of this kind of Trust as it belongs to some other religion. The data might be available online on the website of the Waqf Boards. “We are digging the data,” affirmed Taware.

Copy of letter submitted by Kandhare to the Satara Endowment Commissioner’s office

’10 years, but still no action,’ Hindu organizations continue to seek action

Kandhare has to date written several letters to the government authorities including the Revenue Officer, Collector and the authorities at the Municipality, stating the fact that the Masjid is illegal and that it needs to be removed, but to no avail. The copies of all the letters have been obtained by OpIndia. “These authorities just acknowledge the letter and take no action. It has been 10 years and the illegal structure still stands there even after the Bombay High Court had directed action against the property. The Muslim population has also vastly grown in the area. This matter needs attention,” said Taware reiterating the Hindu organization’s vow that they will build a huge Hanuman Mandir on the same spot if the illegal Masjid is not taken down.

Copy of recent letter written by Khandare to the Revenue Officer

Similar illegal structures reported earlier

Earlier, a similar incident was reported from the city of Nashik, where a local Hindu group had objected to the presence of ‘Sayyed Shah Vali Baba Dargah’ in the premises of an 18th-century-old historical monument that once served as the administrative headquarters of the Peshwas, the Sarkarwada.

Rushikesh Dapse (Bapu), a social activist associated with a local Hindu organization, had claimed that the Dargah in the Sarkarwada, which was once home to Peshwas, is an ‘illegal encroachment’ and that it shall be removed as it represents the wrong history of the Peshwas.

Also, an illegal Mazar had surfaced at the Mahim coast area in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on March 23 employed bulldozers to demolish the illegal construction around the Mazar. This is after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray played a clip in his Gudi Padwa address and exposed that an ‘illegal dargah’ has come up off the Mahim coast in Mumbai. He demanded the removal of the illegal dargah and said that if it is not demolished immediately, then his party would construct a huge Ganpati temple at the same place.

Illegal structures had also been built inside the Pratapgarh Fort where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had killed Afzal Khan. The old grave has been over the years converted into a religious shrine by Islamic groups. Despite orders by the Bombay High Court, the Maharashtra government was hesitant to remove the illegal structures inside the important historical monument.

In November 2022, the Shinde government finally sent police and local administration to remove the illegal structures around the grave.

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