The Moradabad police said it has “expunged” the case against 26 people who were booked for offering congregational namaz at a house, due to lack of any merit in the allegations.
Senior superintendent of police, Hemant Kutiyal said that the case is being cancelled because the allegations have not been proven in the investigation.
The move comes within a day after the incident was reported and amid severe criticism from several politicians, including from AIMIM, Samajwadi Party and the National Conference.
“Plaintiff Chanderpal, etc. had registered a case in police station Chhajlait for offering mass prayers in village Dullepur, after investigation the incident was not found to be proven, therefore, the case has been expunged. Rest of the legal proceedings will be conducted accordingly,” a message on the official Twitter handle of the Moradabad police said.
Wahid Saifi, who was named in the FIR, had claimed they were the “legal owners” of the land and that namaz was offered there frequently since Independence.
“Recently, certain miscreants who identify as Bajrang Dal activists have started objecting to it and calling it a new tradition. They had made a complaint at the police station on June 3,” he said.
“We presented her with all of our legal documentation, but she cautioned us against praying in public, and ever since, we have complied with her instructions. However, following the SHO’s transfer, an FIR was filed at the Chajlait police station on August 24,” he stated.
It’s crucial to emphasise that the Muslim community doesn’t have a masjid in the village. Despite this, some locals have been against namaz gatherings, even if inside homes.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President and MP Asaduddin Owaisi in a series of tweets had condemned the registration of the FIR.
After the FIR was withdrawn, the Hyderabad MP tweeted, “Fair and timely decision. It is expected that the Uttar Pradesh Police will stop registering illegal FIRs under the pressure of the mob. Hope people will now be able to offer namaz in their homes without any hassle.”
In a tweet, NC leader Omar Abdullah had said, “I’m sure if one of the neighbours had a hawan with 26 friends and relatives that would be perfectly acceptable. It’s not the mass gathering that is the problem, it’s the offering of namaz.”
Samajwadi Party MP from Moradabad ST Hassan had said that he visited village Dullepur and found that all were availing their rights legally and communal harmony existed in the village.
He said some miscreants had filed the police complaint, which was found to be baseless.
(With inputs from PTI)
