Nagpur Violence: Prime Accused Fahim Khan, 6 Others Booked for Sedition

Nagpur Violence: The cybercrime department of Nagpur has charged Fahim Shamim Khan, 38, Minority Democratic Party (MDP) leader arrested in connection with the Nagpur violence, and five others with sedition and incitement to violence via misinformation on social media during the unrest, the officials informed PTI on Thursday.

These six persons were part of a group of fifty accused against whom cyber-police registered four First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the violence that erupted on Monday in the Maharashtra town.

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“The cyber crime department has also asked for information from Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube authorities about 230 profiles on their platforms and sought for them to be blocked,” DCP Cyber Crime Lohit Matani said at a press briefing.

“As soon as the department gets the information, the accused will be identified and arrested,” he added.

That means some videos were shared on social media, and in the beginning, there were indications that it would incite some violence, but then there were more videos that glorified the violence, said the police officer leading the investigation.

Fahim Khan was arrested for allegedly orchestrating the protests outside a Nagpur police station on Monday.

‘Fahim Khan shared videos of glorification of violence’: Police

According to DCP Matani, Fahim Khan edited a video protesting Aurangzeb's tomb, then circulated it on social media, sharing videos "glorifying" the violence.

The four FIRs are regarding the making of provocative videos about the Aurangzeb tomb protest and their streaming to incite violence.

Clips related to the violence were also circulated on social media to further incite riots.

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Disgusting posts that fueled violence were also shared online. More videos that glorified the violence were also circulated, including videos of the riots that incited more violence, Matani said in reference to the FIRs.

The curfew was partially lifted or relaxed in certain areas of Nagpur on Thursday, three days post-violence.

Violent mobs went on a rampage in central Nagpur areas on the night of Monday, allegedly amid rumors that a 'chadar' with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by VHP and Bajrang Dal over the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

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