Four men, including a village head, have been arrested in Bareilly for allegedly holding Friday prayers (Namaz) without permission in a temporary tin shed, police said Saturday. The arrests come amidst heightened security measures in the district due to ongoing festivals and the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.
Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against seven identified individuals and several other unidentified people in connection with the incident. According to Sanjay Tomar, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Baheri, the incident occurred in Jam Sawant Shumali village, where over 20 people were found offering prayers in a tin shed on private land. The gathering had not been granted prior authorization.
Authorities were alerted after a complaint was filed by a member of the Hindu Jagran Sena, a local right-wing organization. Himanshu Patel, an official of the organization, posted about the incident on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), tagging top police officials, which prompted police to take immediate action. A drone video of the prayers was also circulated on social media platforms, further substantiating the claims.
#Bareilly, UP : 4 Muslim men including Gram Panchayat head arrested and FIR registered against 20 identified and unidentified persons for offering Friday #Namaz in a temporary tin shed in a house in a village of Baheri tehsil of Barielly, UP on Saturday.
— Saba Khan (@ItsKhan_Saba) January 19, 2025
A drone footage of… pic.twitter.com/kaEuAx6cyz
“The police acted swiftly after receiving the complaint and verifying the footage,” SHO Tomar said. Those arrested have been identified as Arif, the Gram Panchayat head, along with Aqeel Ahmed, Mohammad Shahid, and Chhote Ahmed. Police confirmed that Muzammil, Qadir Ahmed, and Mohammad Arif have also been named in the FIR.
Authorities have stated that the case is under investigation and further legal proceedings are underway. The incident has raised concerns about adherence to regulations regarding public gatherings and religious practices during sensitive times in the region.