Bengaluru Riots: Days After Arrest Of Former Congress Mayor, NIA Conducts Searches At Offices Of Islamic Outfit SDPI

Two days after former mayor and Congress leader Sampath Raj was arrested in a case related to communal riots in the city, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced that it has carried out searches at 43 locations, including at four offices of the radical Islamist outfit Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political outfit floated by Popular Front of India (PFI).

“During the searches, incriminating materials relating to SDPI / PFI as well as certain instruments for attacks like sword, knife, iron rods etc were seized. “ the investigating agency said in a press release.

“The cases pertain to large scale rioting armed with lethal weapons causing injuries to police personnel, destruction of public and private property including DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations buildings and public and private vehicles. The riot led to fear and panic in the nearby areas and was intended to cause terror in the society,” the NIA added.

On August 11, an angry mob of Muslims enraged over an alleged insult to Mohammed (who Muslims consider their holy prophet) vandalised police station, burnt down more than 60 vehicles. A violent mob also attacked the house of senior Congress legislator and Dalit leader Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.

In the subsequent police firing to control the mob, three people were killed. More than 377 people were arrested for the violence.

A preliminary charge sheet filed by the police in the case said that intra-party rivalry within Congress was one of the key reasons for riots. Former mayor Sampath Raj and Congress corporator Abdul Zakir were named among the key accused in the charge sheet.