Four Arrested in Mumbai for Violent Assault on Religious Leader and Sons
Mumbai: In a shocking incident of public violence, the Dongri police have apprehended four persons, one of whom is a minor boy, for allegedly assaulting a respected religious leader, Maulana Khalid Ashraf, along with his two sons. The attack, which involved weapons like sticks and chairs, occurred on Sunday and has sparked outrage within the local community.
Traffic Dispute Escalates into Severe Violence
The confrontation began after a local boy reportedly collided with the scooter of Moiz, one of Maulana Ashraf's sons, in Pala galli. Initially, the matter seemed resolved when Moiz informed his father about the altercation, which included verbal abuse from the boy and his father. However, the situation dramatically worsened later that evening.
As Ashraf and his sons were en route to a family function at Zakaria Masjid near Mohammed Ali Road, they were confronted near Daud Fazal High School in Dongri. One of the accused recognized Moiz and summoned others, leading to a mob of approximately 15 men gathering swiftly. The assailants launched a brutal attack using sticks, bamboos, and chairs, inflicting grievous injuries on the victims.
"I kept saying, ‘I am an imam, I am Syed (from the Prophet's family)'...but they continued raining blows on me. They intended to kill me," Ashraf recounted, describing the terrifying ordeal. His sons also sustained serious injuries during the assault.
Legal Action and Community Response
Police have registered a case of attempt to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against three adults: Mohammad Jina Parez Khan (24), Sahil Manzil Masjid Khan (18), and Majid Khalid Khan (45). The minor boy has been booked under the relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. Authorities confirmed that the arrested individuals have no prior criminal records, but investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other suspects involved in the mob attack.
Following the incident, several community leaders visited the Dongri police station, demanding stern action against the culprits. Local MLA Amin Patel, who assisted in taking Ashraf and his sons for a medical check-up at J J Hospital, expressed deep concern. "Ashraf is a widely respected religious scholar. The assault on him and his sons at a busy place is shocking and shameful," he stated, highlighting the gravity of the violence in a public setting.
Calls for Peace and Justice
In the aftermath, Maulana Ashraf has taken a proactive stance to prevent further unrest. He issued video clips appealing to his followers to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. "I want justice and want police to take appropriate action. I have asked my followers to remain peaceful," he emphasized, underscoring his commitment to legal recourse over retaliation.
The case continues to develop as police delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the assault, with the community closely watching for updates on the pursuit of justice and measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
