HARIDWAR HATE SPEECH VIDEOS BEING ANALYSED, NO ARRESTS YET

Uttarakhand police is verifying videos of an event, where speakers allegedly called for violence against Muslims and Christians, to gather evidence against the accused, officials said on Friday.

No arrest has been made in the case so far, the officials said, adding that an FIR has been lodged against Jitendra Narayan Tyagi, who was earlier known as Waseem Rizvi and converted to Hinduism earlier this month, in connection with the case.

HARIDWAR/DEHRADUN: A day after it registered a criminal case against several people, Uttarakhand Police on Friday said it is verifying videos of a controversial religious event, where speakers allegedly made hate speeches in Haridwar last week, “to gather evidence against accused and add more names in the case”.

“As part of the probe, police are verifying the videos of the event to gather evidence against the accused and ascertain the identities of the unidentified accused in the case,” inspector Rakendra Kathait, SHO of Kotwali police station, said.

On Thursday, Kotwali police registered a case under section 153A of the IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language) against Jitendra Narayan Tyagi, former chief of UP Shia Waqf board who was earlier known as Waseem Rizvi, and several unnamed people on the basis of video clips of speeches at Dharma Sansad, held between December 17 and 19.

The videos, which went viral on social media, sparked widespread criticism.

HT could not independently verify the authenticity of these clips.

The case is currently being probed by a sub-inspector rank police officer. “Police have asked some people connected with the event to provide videos of the same. A probe is on with police looking into all aspects of the case,” Kathait said.

Another officer familiar with developments said the only name accused, Tyagi, is yet to be questioned by police.

“Police are yet to contact him. It will be done soon. District SSP Yogendra Singh Rawat today held a meeting of the district police officers in which he asked them to take strict action against those involved in any similar incidents,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, the Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad, the apex body of seers, condemned the alleged hate speeches.