New Delhi: Abdul Malik, the alleged mastermind behind the violent clashes that unfolded in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura neighbourhood on 8 February, has been arrested by the Uttarakhand Police in Delhi.
The arrest comes days after a fresh case of fraud and criminal conspiracy was registered against Malik and five others in connection with the Haldwani violence, and the arrest of around 80 individuals in connection with the violence triggered by the demolition of an alleged illegal madrasa in Banbhoolpura.
Malik, along with his wife Safia, faces charges of criminal conspiracy and fraudulently using a deceased person’s name for illegal land plotting, construction, and transfer in the Nainital district, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prahlad Narayan Meena told ANI.
Accused of having built the ‘illegal’ madrasa in Banbhoolpura, Malik had previously opposed the madrasa’s demolition, and his wife had also challenged the municipal corporation’s notice for demolition in court.
SSP Meena told reporters Saturday that the accused orchestrated a criminal conspiracy to mislead government departments and the court via false affidavits.
The charges against Malik include sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 417 (cheating), and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
ThePrint has previously reported that three FIRs had been lodged in connection with the violence: one for stone pelting in Banbhoolpura, one for damage to public property, and one based on a complaint from the municipal commissioner.
The authorities have already confiscated Abdul Malik and his son Abdul Moeed’s houses. Malik’s son is on the run, according to police authorities.
The state police has also identified an NGO that allegedly collected funds to incite the rioters in Banbhoolpura more than 10 days after the violence erupted.
The riots led to the death of six people and injured more than a hundred others, including police officers and journalists.
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