A day after registering two cases in connection with the large-scale violence in Bengaluru in August, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at 30 locations and arrested an alleged key conspirator related to the incident.
The arrested conspirator Sayed Saddiq Ali, 44, resident of Bengaluru, is alleged to have been involved in the attack on KG Halli Police Station in Bengaluru that took place late in the evening on August 11 resulting in “huge” damage and destruction of public and government property, including damage to the police station building and vehicles parked in its premises and nearby areas.
Ali works as a recovery agent with a bank and has been absconding since August 11, immediately after the riots.
In addition to Ali’s arrest, searches were also conducted at 30 locations in Bengaluru city to unearth the conspiracy behind the attacks on DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations.
“During the searches, airgun, pellets, sharp weapons, iron rods, digital devices, DVRs and many SDPI & PFI-related incriminating documents and materials have been seized,” the NIA said in a statement. On Wednesday, pursuant to Union Home Ministry’s directions, the NIA took up the investigation of two Bengaluru violence cases registered by the State police at DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations on August 12.
The cases have been registered under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public property Act, Karnataka Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property Act and relevant Sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
These cases pertain to a massive mob violence post a derogatory social media remark by one Naveen, nephew of Srinivas Akhanda Murthy, a sitting Congress MLA, (Pulakeshi Nagar, Bengaluru) allegedly insulting the religious sentiments of Muslims, the agency said.
“The State Secretary, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Muzamil Pasha and other members of SDPI /Popular Front of India (PFI) gathered a mob at the houses of Naveen, Akhanda Srinivas Murthy and at the premises of DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations, who vandalised the premises and resorted to arson, creating fear and panic among the masses,” the agency said, adding further investigation in the case is continuing.