The municipal corporation claims that the houses were built illegally – a reason often cited by BJP governments across the country to demolish houses of accused in crimes.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Three men, Faizan Khan, Sameer Khan and Sahil alias Salauddin – were arrested on Monday and their houses were demolished in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal for allegedly putting a leash on a Hindu man and making him bark like a dog.
However, Bhopal Municipal Corporation claimed that the houses were built illegally – a reason often cited by BJP governments across the country to demolish houses of the accused, specially Muslims, in crimes.
The state police, which comes under firebrand BJP leader and Home Minister Narottam Mishra, has also slapped stringent National Security Act (NSA) against the three accused, media reports reaching here said on Tuesday.
The action was ordered after a nearly two-month-old video surfaced on social media showing the victim, with a dog collar around his neck, being abused and thrashed with a belt. The incident reportedly occurred in Teela Jamalpura police station area. The victim was even asked to kneel down and bark like a dog, triggering outrage on social media.
Additionally, the three men along with three others have been charged under the religious freedom act and other relevant sections of the law. Furthermore, three of the main suspects have already been apprehended.
Anurag Lal, the station in-charge at Teela Jamalpura police station, has been suspended from duty pending further investigation, The New Indian website report said.
An official of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation emphasised that this decision was taken to send a strong message against such heinous acts and to discourage others from engaging in similar acts.
The Hindu youth was reportedly waylaid by the accused following a dispute. In the 50-second video, the victim can be heard saying he had made a mistake and had already apologised to one ‘Sahil bhai’ online.
According to a report, the family of the victim has made additional allegations against the accused, alleging that the trio coerced him into consuming drugs and consuming meat against his religious beliefs. Shockingly, the family has also claimed that the victim was compelled to commit robbery at his own residence.
