Mumbai: Three arrested for 'outraging religious sentiments' on Ram temple consecration ceremony day

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Three persons have been arrested in Mumbai and an FIR filed against unidentified persons in connection with at least four cases of outraging religious sentiments, police said.

These incidents occurred on January 22, the day Ram temple consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla was held in Ayodhya.

The first case involved the arrest of a 27-year-old named Saud Qureshi, who allegedly insulted the flag of Lord Ram during prayers at the Pimpleshwar temple in Mumbai's Vakola area. The police have registered a case under sections 295, 504, and 506 of the IPC.

In the second case, handled by Govandi Police, a 23-year-old identified as Prithviraj Jogdand, a resident of Maharashtra's Latur, was arrested for posting a provocative status on his mobile. This led to a case being filed under sections 153(A) and 295(A) of the IPC.

At Bhoiwada Police Station, a 55-year-old man named Mufeez Ahmed was arrested for allegedly removing a flag with Lord Ram's photo from the gate of a society. The incident, involving the removal of the flag by Mufeez Ahmed and others, created tension in the society. A case has been filed against him under sections 153(A), 295(A), 505(2), and 34 of the IPC.

In a separate incident in the VP Road area of Mumbai, unidentified individuals reportedly threatened participants of a bike rally in Islampura. The complainant stated that they were warned not to enter the area, with threats of violence if they did. The police registered a case against unknown individuals under sections 506(2), 341, 298, 504, and 34 of the IPC.

Meanwhile, following a clash in Mira Road, wherein two groups clashed, next to Mumbai, significant security measures have been enforced in the region. Police have detained a man seen agitating people in a viral video on social media.

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In Mira Road, local police, Mumbai Police, Palghar Police, Thane Rural Police, RAF (Rapid Action Force), MSF (Maharashtra Security Force), and SRPF were also there in large numbers, reported ANI.

DCP Jayant Bajbale providing details of the Mira Road clash stated, "Several videos of the clash between two communities in Mira Road adjacent to Mumbai went viral on social media. A video of a person named Abu Shaikh went viral where he was seen provoking people. The person who posted this video has been arrested, and Mira Bhayander police have sought two days of custody." (With inputs from agencies)