Masked men beat up cleric to death inside mosque in Ajmer

THREE MEN beat a cleric to death inside a mosque in Rajasthan’s Ajmer late on Saturday, police said, with the deceased’s family alleging the involvement of persons trying to take over the mosque’s control.

Police said Maulana Mohammad Mahir, 30, lived in the Mohammadi Madina mosque, which also has a madrasa, with around 15 students. The three persons entered the mosque from a back entrance at around 2 am on Saturday before escaping the same way.

“Some of the madrasa students staying with Maulana Mahir were present inside the room that night. When the children came out screaming at around 3 am, the people around came to know about the incident. After this, the police were informed,” said Ramganj police station in-charge Ravindra Khinchi, adding that a murder case has been registered.

Khinchi said the three are suspected to have taken the cleric’s phone with them.

Police said they are yet to identify the assailants, who were wearing masks. But Mahir’s brother, Mohammad Amir, told The Indian Express that they have given names of three people to police.

“My brother had told us many times that some people in the area were not happy with him handling the madrasa. Those people wanted to take control of the institution. He never liked living in Ajmer but after the death of his mentor Mualana Zakir Hussain last year in October, he was given its charge. We have given the names of the people who might be behind the killing.”

The station in-charge said police have not yet found out the motive for the murder.

Police have found two sticks, the suspected murder weapons, near the mosque and are scanning CCTV footage. A dog squad team was also called to the spot.

Mahir came to Ajmer from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh about seven years ago. His body has beentakentorampurandburied.