SP MP's father among four served notices after row over BJP leader's mosque remark
The city magistrate court here has issued notices to four people, including the father of Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, over alleged provocative statements following a controversy involving a BJP leader's remarks about the demolition of a mosque, officials said on Sunday.
The four have been asked to appear before the court on October 3.
Those served notices are Shahi Jama Masjid management committee president Zafar Ali, Mamlukur Rehman Barq, former BJP district president Rajesh Singhal and AIMIM leader Shakeel Ahmed.
City Magistrate Sudhir Kumar said the notices were issued on the basis of reports submitted by police from Kotwali and Nakhasa police stations, alleging that the statements made by the four could disturb communal peace.
According to the administration, Zafar Ali allegedly made provocative and objectionable statements on social media with the intention of gaining political advantage and attempting to disturb peace between two communities.
Officials said similar cases had been registered against Ali in the past and that he had also been sent to jail in connection with them.
The notices issued by the City Magistrate's Office seek an explanation from the four as to why they should not be required to furnish a bond of Rs 20,000, or a surety for the same amount, to maintain peace for six months.
The action followed a statement allegedly made by Singhal at a Ramleela event in Rehtaul village under the Hazrat Nagar Garhi police station area on Wednesday.
Singhal had said that if the mosque at the Harihar temple was demolished, the Uttar Pradesh government would "shower flowers" rather than resort to firing.
Following Singhal's remarks, Mamlukur Rehman Barq allegedly responded by threatening to "show his stature", while Shakeel Ahmed strongly objected to the BJP leader's statement.
Police and the administration subsequently initiated action after the exchange of statements heightened tensions in the area, officials said.