Mashkoor Raza, a YouTuber, has been arrested in Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly pressuring a government officer to compel him into granting an interview regarding a violent incident that occurred on November 24. The violence resulted in five deaths and multiple injuries.
According to a PTI report on Tuesday, Mashkoor allegedly attempted to pressure Sambhal Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Kumar Chaudhary by invoking the names of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar.
The incident began when Mashkoor approached the CO for an interview on the November 24 violence. After his request was denied, he allegedly threatened the officer.
“Mashkoor Raza Dada has been booked for disturbing public peace. He was pressuring the CO for an interview and issued threats when his request was denied. Following these charges, he was sent to jail,” said Sambhal Kotwali Station Officer Anuj Kumar Tomar, said the report.
Before being taken into custody, Mashkoor told reporters, “I run a YouTube channel and a transport business. I wanted to interview the Sambhal CO to gain fame. I repeatedly called him despite his refusals. If the interview had taken place, I would have become famous across India. I even told the CO I could involve the CM, DGP, or SP to force him to agree.”
Meanwhile, a forensic team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Agra arrived in Sambhal on Monday to investigate the November 24 violence. The team conducted a detailed examination of the crime scene, documenting it through photography and videography.
The incident has also drawn attention of the Supreme Court, which intervened on November 29, urging the UP government to maintain peace and order. The court directed the Sambhal trial court to halt any orders related to a mosque survey connected to the violence. The next hearing is scheduled for January 8.
