Mumbai (The Hindu): Mob led by AIMIM corpotator Shahnavaz Hussein was protesting against ‘objectionable’ Facebook post

A group of 17 persons led by Shahnavaz Hussein, newly elected All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator from Mankhurd, were arrested on Sunday for allegedly setting vehicles of the police on fire, rioting and vandalizing the Trombay Police Station in eastern Mumbai on Saturday night.

Police said the group was staging a protest against a man who was arrested and lodged in the police station for allegedly putting up an objectionable post on Facebook. The group claimed that the post hurt religious sentiments of their community. The group demanded that the accused be handed over to them and in a fit of rage set fire to a few police vehicles parked outside the police station.

Tense grips Trombay

The incident triggered tension in the area and the police swung into action and arrested members of the group. Shahaji Umap, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-VI, said, “The situation is now under control. Security has been stepped up in the area to avoid any untoward incident.”

A case has been registered against the 17 accused under Section 307, 147,148,149, 353, 332 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, and Section 3 of the Damage to Public Property Act. Additional Commissioner of Police (eastern region) Manoj Lohiya said, “They were produced in court on Sunday afternoon and were directed to be remanded in police custody up to March 24.”

Following the arrest, AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan met the accused and assured them that the party would extend all legal assistance. Mr. Pathan said, “Shahnawaz was picked up from his residence and falsely implicated in the case owing to political rivalry. I will raise the issue in the State assembly on Wednesday.”

Mr. Pathan also said that the act of torching police vehicles was deplorable and the police must arrest the real culprits. The party has demanded a high level inquiry into the incident and said the incident could have been averted if the police took swift action.

The police said they received a complaint on Saturday against an alleged objectionable Facebook post and a case was registered under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code. Mr. Lohiya said, “The accused, a resident of Navi Mumbai, was arrested after the complaint was filed against the post.”

The man was arrested and booked under Section 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to hurt religion) of the IPC, Mr. Lohiya said.