Bulldozer should be run over Nagpur violence mastermind Fahim Khan, not his house: Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday justified action against Nagpur violence mastermind Fahim Khan after the civic authorities demolished illegal portions of his two-storey house in the city.

Sarnaik, who is known for his direct approach, said, “The bulldozer should be run over him, not his house if anyone is involved in such violent activities.”
The demolition of Fahim Khan’s occurred during morning hours after civic authorities took action on the illegal construction.

Fahim, the mastermind behind the Nagpur violence, is currently in police custody. He is the leader of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP) and is one of over 100 persons arrested for their involvement in the March 17 clashes.
The incident, which saw widespread violence across Nagpur, was triggered by rumors of a 'chadar' with religious inscriptions being burnt during protests by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which was demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The violence led to significant property damage, stone-pelting, and arson. During the clashes, 33 police officers, including three Deputy Commissioners of Police, sustained injuries.
Civic authorities had previously issued a notice to Fahim Khan regarding unauthorized portions of his house and the lack of an approved building plan.
The property, registered in the name of his wife, was located in the Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar, Nagpur.
Noteworthy, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had on Saturday said that the cost of damages caused during the violence would be recovered from the rioters. He added that failure to pay would lead to the seizure and sale of their properties.
Fadnavis also vowed to take stern action against those responsible for attacking the police. Furthermore, he indicated that those spreading inflammatory content would face additional charges as co-accused.
The chief minister, while stressing the importance of a thorough investigation, also stated that it was premature to discuss any potential foreign involvement, including links to Bangladesh, as the investigation was ongoing.
Illegal double-storied building demolished in Nagpur
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) carried out an enforcement operation on Monday at Sanjay Bagh Colony in the Ashi Nagar zone, during which they demolished the unauthorised two-storey structure belonging to Fahim Khan, who was identified as the key instigator of the Nagpur riots.
(With agency inputs)