The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to nine individuals arrested in connection with the communal violence that broke out in Nagpur on March 17 this year over the controversy surrounding Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke of the High Court’s Nagpur bench allowed the bail applications, observing that the continued custody of the accused was no longer necessary. A detailed copy of the order is awaited.
Advocate Mohammad Aadil Sheikh, who appeared for one of the accused, argued that the police investigation had been completed, and hence, further incarceration was unwarranted.
The accused granted bail include Iqbal Ansari, Ejaz Ansari, Absar Ansari, Izhar Ansari, Ashfaqulla Aminullah, Muzzamil Ansari, Mohammad Rahil, Mohammad Yasir, and Iftekar Ansari.
The riots erupted after rumours spread that a ‘chadar’ (holy cloth) bearing religious inscriptions had been desecrated during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which was demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad.
The violence led to widespread stone-pelting and arson in several areas of Nagpur. Thirty-three police personnel, including three officers of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank, sustained injuries during the clashes. Following the unrest, Nagpur police arrested more than 123 individuals, including 19 juveniles.
