Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar witnessed high political tension as All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) state president and former MP Imtiaz Jaleel faced a violent attack on his vehicle. The incident, which occurred during civic poll campaigning, has triggered a major law and order situation, leading to multiple arrests and a strong show of unity by the party leadership.
Owaisi Leads Solidarity March Amid Heavy Security
A day after the shocking attack, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi took to the streets of the old city in a symbolic foot march. The march, conducted under heavy police bandobast (security arrangements), started from Champa Chowk and concluded at Buddi Lane. Owaisi was joined by Imtiaz Jaleel and other party functionaries, including some who had been disgruntled, in an effort to present a united front.
Details of the Pre-Planned Attack Emerge
The assault took place around 1:15 PM on Wednesday at Jinsi Chowk. According to police, Jaleel was engaged in door-to-door campaigning in the Baijipura area when some residents waved black flags at him. The situation escalated rapidly at the Jinsi crossroads when Jaleel's group came face-to-face with Congress candidate Kaleem Qureshi and his supporters.
Heated arguments and sloganeering ensued, spiraling into a physical brawl. Police had to resort to a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. As Jaleel was leaving the spot, his SUV was targeted by attackers. Videos circulating on social media show the vehicle being assaulted. One AIMIM worker travelling with Jaleel sustained injuries in the melee.
Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar stated that the attack appeared to be pre-planned. An FIR registered at Jinsi police station details that suspects threw eggs at Jaleel's vehicle, some of which hit on-duty police personnel, soiling their uniforms.
Police Swing Into Action, Multiple Arrests Made
The law enforcement response has been swift. The Jinsi police have arrested 11 accused in the case so far. Investigation officer Aruna Ghule informed that six were arrested on Wednesday and produced before a court on Thursday, which remanded them to a day's police custody. The remaining five arrested accused were to be produced in court on Friday.
Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar emphasized a no-nonsense policy, confirming that teams are working to apprehend each of the 50 to 60 accused named in the FIR. "All of them have been identified using footage of the incident," Pawar said, adding that the police themselves are the complainants in this case.
The FIR has been registered under multiple serious sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 132, 189(2), 191(2), 190, 126(2), 115(2), 352, and 351(2)(3), along with section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. The charges include rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing hurt, and obstruction of public servants.
Congress Candidates Absconding, Second FIR Registered
In a significant development, Congress candidates and brothers Kaleem Qureshi and Habib Qureshi are reported to be absconding. Meanwhile, based on a complaint by Shahed Khan, a youth who intervened to save Jaleel from the attackers, police are registering a second FIR against the Qureshi brothers and their associates at the City Chowk police station.
The probe is ongoing, with police examining additional footage and witness statements. Further arrests are likely as the investigation unfolds, highlighting the seriousness with which authorities are treating this incident of political violence.
