Nagpur riots mastermind Fahim Khan arrested, caught on camera spreading rumours

On Wednesday, Nagpur Police apprehended Fahim Shamim Khan, a community leader of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), recognized as the purported mastermind behind the communal clashes that broke out in the city on March 17, resulting in multiple injuries.

Khan’s apprehension occurred just hours after his name was formally added to an FIR filed at Ganeshpeth Police Station. Earlier in the day, authorities shared his image and a video emerged appearing to show Khan allegedly making a provocative speech just before the violence erupted. The 38-year-old leader, who serves as the city president of the MDP and lives in Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar, has been placed in police custody until March 21.

Senior police officials indicate that initial investigations and video footage imply Khan’s inflammatory speech played a direct role in heightening tensions, leading to conflicts among local communities.

Fahim Khan ran in the 2024 Lok Sabha election for the Nagpur constituency as a representative of the Minorities Democratic Party. Significantly, he contested against senior BJP figure and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, but was defeated by a substantial margin exceeding 6.5 lakhs votes.

Violence erupted in Nagpur’s Chitnis Park on Monday after clashes ignited due to rumors claiming a community’s sacred text was disrespected amid a right-wing demonstration advocating for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s mausoleum in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The turmoil rapidly intensified, as crowds hurled stones at law enforcement, resulting in 34 officers injured.

A complaint was filed against the demonstrators following the unrest, alleging that they offended the religious feelings of a group. An FIR was filed based on the complaint. Interestingly, there have been no arrests made to date.