Two days after booking 26 people for offering Namaz at a house of a fellow villager, the Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday ‘expunge’ the case citing “nothing” was found in the probe. The case had invited criticism from All India Majlis-E-Ittahadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah who objected that now ‘Muslims’ can’t even offer Namaz inside their homes.
Hemant Kutiyal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Moradabad, in a statement, said some locals from Dulhepur village had made a complaint to the Chhajlet police station on August 24 in which they had alleged that Muslims of the village were offering Namaz in group at a house of a local resident.
The complainant had alleged that “by reading the namaz in a gathering, these people (Muslims) are spreading hatred and enmity among people.” The complainant also alleged that he has seen the Muslims offering group Namaz on August 24.
The complainant also claimed that the villagers have reported the same matter in the past as well and elders of the village had gathered at that time and the matter was resolved when the Muslims have assured that they wont offer group prayers.
“But on August 24, he had again seen Muslims offering group Namaz,” the complainant had said.
The police had filed a case against 16 named and 10 unnamed accused under Section 505(2) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
“We have now expunged the case as an investigation into the matter has found ‘no evidence’ related to the allegations made by the complainant,” said the SSP.
AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had slammed the FIR and had said that ‘Muslims in India can no longer offer Namaz even at home. Do I have to take permission from the government to offer prayers now”.
After the police expunged the FIR, Mr Owaisi again wrote that he hopes that the Uttar Pradesh Police will stop lodging FIR’s against Muslims in the pressure of mob.
Talking to The Hindu, one of the complainant, Chandrapal Singh said that he is still sticking with his claim that Muslims are offering group Namaz at a house in the village and that is disturbing the atmosphere.
“The Muslims should give in writing that they wont do it again,” he said.
Hakam Ali, one of the accused in the FIR which was expunged on Tuesday, told The Hindu that he never participated in any group Namaz since the month of June, when the matter first cropped up.
“The Hindu and Muslims live peacefully in the village. I have no idea how this matter came to light and what is wrong in offering Namaz,” he asked.
