Palatial Home Of Local Leader Shahzad Ali Demolished After Violent Mob Attacks Police Station In MP's Chhatarpur

A violent clash at a police station in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, led to multiple police personnel being injured, after which authorities have arrested multiple persons and demolished the palatial home of local leader Shahzad Ali.

At around 2.45 pm on 21 August, a group of 100-150 members of the Muslim community, allegeldy led by local leaders Javed Ali and Shahzad Ali, gathered at Kotwali police station in Chhatarpur district to "submit a memorandum" opposing remarks purportedly made by Maharashtra's Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj about their religion during a speech in Ahmednagar.

The situation escalated when some members of the crowd allegedly started throwing stones at the police, resulting in injuries to several personnel.

“We have arrested 20 persons and detained several others. By tonight, the number of those arrested will go up. Some elements pelted stones at the policemen and we managed to control the situation swiftly. We are investigating the real motives behind the attack," Chattarpur Superintendent of Police Agam Jain was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Sub-inspector Rahul Tiwari, who was on duty during the incident, said that the crowd included “several underage boys, who entered the station premises equipped with concealed weapons – sticks, stones, iron rods, and even swords”.

Despite efforts by police and local administrative authorities, including the Additional District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, to calm the situation, their attempts were unsuccessful.

The FIR filed in connection the violence states that “members of the mob launched a premeditated attack on the SHO, inspector Arvind Kujur, and other officers present at the station".

According to the FIR, Kujur sustained injuries to his head and right hand after being struck by an assailant, with other police personnel also suffering injuries.

The FIR further notes that the mob "vandalized vehicles parked within the police station premises," and it was only after additional police reinforcements arrived and teargas was deployed that the crowd finally dispersed.

Following the violence, the police initiated a crackdown, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav urging Director General of Police Sudhir Saxena to take “strict action so that such incidents do not recur in the future.”

“Madhya Pradesh is a state of peace, anyone taking the law into their own hands in a planned manner will not be tolerated at all… It is our priority to maintain peace and harmony in the state,” Yadav wrote on X.

On Thursday morning, additional forces from the border districts and senior officers reached the residence of Shahzad Ali.

Two of Shahzad Ali’s sons, along with corporator Ajad Ali and several local residents, are also accused in the violence.

The police forced open the lock on Ali’s house and began demolishing what they claimed were illegal parts of the structure using an excavator. The exterior of the house was razed to the ground.

“The illegal property was spread across 1 acre. We issued a notice for demolition of the entire property since it was built without any construction permissions," Chattarpur SDM Akhil Rathore was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

SP Jain said the property was valued at around Rs 10 crore.

Chhatarpur police have registered a case against 46 identified persons and at least 150 unidentified persons, invoking sections of attempt to murder, rioting etc.

The ruling BJP has alleged Ali is a member of the Congress’s district minority cell, while the opposition has denied his involvement in the party and claimed he is now a BJP member.

However, BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi said that Ali was never associated with the party.

Another BJP leader said that Shahzad’s brother used to visit the local BJP leaders but was never associated with the party.

"His family is involved with the Congress," the BJP leader was quoted as saying by IE.

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