In a breakthrough in the Haldwani violence case, the “mastermind” behind the unrest, Abdul Malik, who has been absconding since the incident, was arrested by Uttarakhand police from Delhi on Saturday.
Abdul Malik was among six persons booked for criminal conspiracy and fraudulently using a dead man’s name for illegal plotting, construction, and transfer of land, Nainital SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena said.
Earlier, a lookout notice was issued against Malik and his son Abdul Moid and their property in the town is attached. Three FIRs were registered in connection with the incident.
Abdul Malik had built the illegal madrasa and vehemently opposed its demolition, the police said.
A fresh case of fraud and criminal conspiracy was registered on Thursday against six people, including “mastermind” Abdul Malik and his wife, in connection with the Haldwani violence, police said.
Four more rioters were arrested, taking the total number of arrests so far to 78 in the February 8 violence that broke out over the demolition of an illegal madrasa in Banbhoolpura, they said.
In a viral video showing that money is being distributed among people in the riot-hit area in Haldwani, the SSP said people who distributed money belonged to a Hyderabad-based NGO. Investigations have revealed that some people of the NGO ‘Hyderabad Youth Courage’ have distributed money, he said.
“The source of the funds and the amount distributed by them is being looked into. Appropriate action will be taken by the police and other departments concerned,” Meena said.
Violence broke out on February 8 over the demolition of an illegally built madrasa in the Banbhoolpura area, with locals hurling stones and petrol bombs at municipal workers and police, forcing many police personnel to seek refuge at a police station, which the mob then set on fire.
(With PTI inputs)
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