Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has granted bail to 16 Muslim youths who had been in custody for nearly 11 months following communal violence in Mira Road, Mumbai. The arrests stemmed from tensions during the Ram Mandir Prana Pratishtha ceremony in January 2024.
The incident occurred in Naya Nagar, a predominantly Muslim area, when a rally organised by Hindutva groups escalated into unrest. Eyewitnesses reported provocative slogans, harassment of local women, and attempts to place saffron flags on a mosque, fuelling tensions.
Despite allegations of bias in police action, the court found insufficient evidence to link the accused to the violence.
Advocate Shahood Anwar, representing the youths, stated, “The arrests were based on superficial evidence, such as mere appearances in CCTV footage, without concrete proof of involvement.”
The case was filed under FIR No. 34, naming 24 individuals. Of these, three minors were granted bail earlier, and another individual was released after investigators found no evidence against him. However, the remaining youths faced prolonged detention.
The defence argued that the arrests reflected a one-sided approach by authorities. Families and social workers accused the police of targeting the Muslim community while ignoring the actions of rally participants. Advocate Gayatri Singh, another lawyer for the accused, criticised the police for failing to act against those who allegedly instigated the violence through inflammatory slogans.
“Judicial oversight ensured justice in this case,” Singh said, adding, “The prosecution relied on weak evidence, and the court rightly granted bail.”
The prolonged detention disrupted the lives of the accused, who included students, daily wage workers, and small traders. Many families faced severe financial hardship, with some struggling to afford rent and daily expenses.
Social worker Atif, who supported the families, described the ordeal as devastating. “These families missed festivals, children’s education was interrupted, and livelihoods were destroyed. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
One case highlighted the arbitrary nature of the arrests. Rashid Qureshi, a local resident, was detained merely for questioning the police’s actions. Similarly, Abu Shema Abubakar Shaikh’s detention was found unjustified, as the court deemed the evidence against him unreliable.
The court’s decision to grant bail has brought relief to the families, but advocates and social workers stress the need for accountability. “This case shows the importance of unbiased investigations and judicial intervention,” Advocate Anwar said.
The paperwork for the release of the 16 youths is underway, and they are expected to reunite with their families soon. However, the trauma and socioeconomic impact of their detention remain a stark reminder of the need for impartiality in handling communal incidents.
The Mira Road violence highlights broader concerns about communal harmony and the role of law enforcement.
