RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, July 5: The Ranchi police today sought a warrant to arrest 40 accused of Ranchi violence that took place on June 10 last year. The violence was so serious that police had to resort to firing which claimed the lives of two people.
A police official said the prayer for issuance of warrant was done after the case against the accused was found true during the police investigation.
During the investigation of the case, three notices to each of the accused persons were issued but no one turned up before the police.
The violence broke down after a protest march was organized from Equra Mosque round about to Albert Ekka Chowk to protest against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma’s derogatory remarks on Prophet Mohammed during a debate.
The then senior superintendent of police of Ranchi, Surendra Kumar Jha, was transferred after the incident.
On June 17 last year, advocate Rajeev Kumar had filed a PIL in the high court on behalf of his client Pankaj Yadav, requesting an National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation in the matter.
Pankaj Yadav, a social and RTI activist, through his petition claimed that the miscreants used ferocious violence and planned to disrupt social order by yelling slogans and throwing stones. Many temples in the city were also targeted during the unrest, according to the petitioner.
The police were fired upon by the mob when they attempted to stop the miscreants who were committing violence in the shape of a mob. Following that, the police opened fire. The application claims that violence was propagated in a well-planned manner, and that the NIA should investigate the entire situation.
The court during the hearing had asked the state government to explain how 10,000 individuals gathered in a public space.
The accused for whom the police have sought warrants include Mohd. Bilal(40), Mohd. Arif Khan alias Rinku (40), Mohd. Shakeel alias Karu (38), Mohd. Munna alias Mohd. Mojahid (42), Md. Shadab alias Lala (23) Md. Monu (22)besides others.
