Authorities in Jhansi have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against 11 identified individuals, including an Imam, and 100 unidentified people for allegedly hindering a National Investigation Agency (NIA) search operation at the residence of Mufti Khalid Nadvi.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, was part of a broader investigation by the NIA into a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror conspiracy. Searches were carried out at 19 locations across eight states. In Jhansi, the NIA, assisted by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), raided Nadvi’s home in the Super Colony area during the early hours of Wednesday.
According to reports, the operation began at approximately 2:30 AM. After a delay of about 30 minutes, Khalid opened the door, allowing the authorities to enter and search his residence. Investigators examined various parts of the house, including rooms, bookshelves, and the kitchen, where they discovered around 2,000 books. Several of these books were confiscated. Khalid reportedly stated that he was engaged in online education and was a participant in several international WhatsApp groups. His financial documents, passport, and visa were also scrutinized during the operation.
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As the NIA team prepared to take Khalid into custody, a crowd gathered near Fatima Masjid to protest his detention. The situation quickly escalated, with the mob reportedly becoming hostile and attempting to obstruct the NIA team. Local police were called in to manage the unrest, allowing the NIA to transport Khalid to a nearby police station. He was later released that night.
In an FIR lodged by Shailendra Singh, the station officer of Kotwali, it was revealed that the operation was part of a confidential investigation in Fatima Masjid Lane, located in New Basti. Singh alleged that over 100 individuals, both men and women, armed with sticks, rods, and iron bars, assembled near the site. The mob allegedly shouted slogans, used abusive language, and physically confronted law enforcement officials.
During the altercation, constable Vinod Chahar sustained head injuries. Among those named in the FIR are Saqir alias Pappu, Goldy, Pervez, Zakaira, Imam Abdul Hameed, Gufran, Monish, Kamil, Tariq, Ikram, and Shabir Makrani. Others involved remain unidentified.
The FIR lists charges under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rioting, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, and causing injuries to public servants while preventing them from performing their duties.
Local residents reported that Khalid had been living in the neighborhood for three years. Married four years ago, his wife, also an online educator, was described as a private individual who rarely interacted with the community.
