A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra to inspect the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, as tensions continue to rise over calls for its removal. The visit comes in the wake of violent unrest in Nagpur on March 17, allegedly linked to the ongoing controversy surrounding the historical site in Khultabad, reported the Siasat.
The NIA team has been closely monitoring suspicious activities in the area and has expanded its investigation to surrounding districts, including Parbhani, Jalna, Nanded, and Buldhana. Reports indicate that the agency is working in coordination with Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to track potential threats.
In response to security concerns, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reinforced protection around the 18th-century tomb, which holds the status of a ‘Monument of National Importance.’ As a precautionary measure, ASI has erected tin barriers around two sides of the structure. Local authorities, including District Collector Dilip Swami and Superintendent of Police Vinaykumar Rathod, had earlier conducted an inspection of the site to assess the security situation.
Meanwhile, the Nagpur riots have led to the arrest of Fahim Khan, who is accused of orchestrating the violence, along with five other individuals. Authorities have charged them with sedition for allegedly supporting the unrest and making provocative statements on social media.
The Nagpur Cyber Crime Department has launched an extensive investigation into digital platforms, scrutinizing over 300 social media accounts. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Lohit Matani, at least 140 accounts contained objectionable material linked to the riots. Efforts are underway to identify and prosecute those responsible for spreading inflammatory content.
Maharashtra Cyber, the state’s primary agency for cybercrime enforcement, is collaborating with the Nagpur City Cyber Police to curb the spread of hate speech and misinformation. Legal notices have been issued under the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to compel social media platforms to remove objectionable content and disclose the identities of those behind it.
Authorities have assured strict legal action against individuals or groups found guilty of inciting unrest through social media. The ongoing investigation highlights the growing concerns over communal tensions and digital propaganda fueling violence in Maharashtra.
