Maharashtra: Nagpur Police have arrested Fahim Shamim Khan, a local leader of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), for allegedly orchestrating the communal clashes that erupted in the city on March 17, resulting in several injuries. Khan, who serves as the city president of the MDP and resides in Sanjay Bagh Colony, Yashodhara Nagar, was taken into custody hours after his name was formally included in a First Information Report (FIR) filed at Ganeshpeth Police Station.
Nagpur Riots: MDP Leader Fahim Khan Arrested for Inciting Communal Violence
Police confirmed that Khan’s arrest followed the release of his photograph and the circulation of a video in which he was allegedly seen delivering an inflammatory speech just before tensions escalated. According to senior police officials, preliminary findings and video evidence suggest that Khan’s provocative remarks directly fueled the outbreak of violence between communities.
The 38-year-old politician, who contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Nagpur constituency on an MDP ticket, faced a crushing defeat against BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, losing by over 6.5 lakh votes.
Fahim Khan Caught on Video Delivering Inflammatory Speech Before Nagpur Clashes
The violence broke out in Nagpur’s Chitnis Park area following rumors that a sacred text belonging to a particular community had been desecrated during a right-wing demonstration calling for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, with mobs attacking police with stones, leaving 34 officers injured.
Following the incident, a complaint was filed against the demonstrators, accusing them of offending the religious sentiments of a community. An FIR was registered, but no arrests have been made in connection with the protest.
Authorities have since tightened security across the city, deploying over 2,000 armed police personnel in vulnerable areas. A senior official confirmed that the law and order situation remains stable, but curfew orders are still in effect in several sensitive parts of Nagpur. Khan has been remanded to police custody until March 21.
