Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A team from Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), led by a DSP, reached the city to record statements from 11 individuals named in an FIR registered in October 2023. The case involves allegations of promoting enmity between communities and advocating unlawful activities. However, the accused claim they were unjustly implicated and refused to travel to the UP ATS office to give their statements.
The case revolves around a speech delivered at a private gathering here. It was allegedly stated that Muslims’ future generations should remember the demolition of Babri Masjid. The gathering on September 17 was part of an annual commemoration focusing on the injustices faced by Muslims during the 1948 Hyderabad police action, known as Operation Polo. It was during this event that the speaker allegedly remarked, “Our people have forgotten the atrocities committed during Hyderabad’s police action, but future generations must not forget the demolition of Babri Masjid.”
A video of the meeting was reportedly sent to Telangana police by an informant and later forwarded to UP ATS. After conducting an initial inquiry, UP ATS requested Maharashtra ATS to file an FIR. However, the Maharashtra ATS was unconvinced by the evidence presented, prompting the UP ATS to register the FIR independently in October 2023.
On December 29, 2023, with support from Maharashtra ATS, the UP ATS visited the homes and workplaces of the suspects, issuing summons for them to appear at UP ATS headquarters between January 15 and 18, 2024, for questioning. While some complied with the summons, others cited legal or personal reasons for not attending. Several accused have questioned the FIR, asserting that similar events had been held peacefully for years without incident. They expressed frustration, asking why this particular gathering was singled out for legal action.
