Nagpur, Maharashtra (March 19, 2025): A Judicial Magistrate First Class court in Nagpur granted bail to eight accused on a surety of Rs 3,000 cash deposit each on Wednesday. The eight workers from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal had surrendered earlier in the day to the Kotwali police in connection with a case related to violence in Nagpur.
The accused faced charges for allegedly offending religious sentiments during a protest. The protest had called for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly known as Aurangabad. The Nagpur police had previously filed FIRs against the eight individuals.
After their surrender, the accused were taken into custody and presented before the court.
Earlier on Wednesday, police arrested Fahim Shamim Khan, a leader of the Minorities Democratic Party, for his alleged involvement in the violence. He was remanded in custody until March 21. Khan was arrested for allegedly leading a protest outside a Nagpur police station on Monday, following an agitation by VHP workers demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. The protest led to violent clashes, leaving several police personnel injured.
Khan's name appears in one of six FIRs registered in connection with the violence, along with 50 others. Police are investigating whether Khan played any role in instigating the riots.
Violence erupted in central Nagpur's Chitnis Park area on Monday after rumours spread that the holy book of a community was burned during the VHP-led agitation. Stones were hurled at police during the clashes, resulting in injuries to 34 police personnel. Authorities continue to investigate the matter.