Anand: Khambhat police have booked six individuals, along with 25 unidentified persons, for attacking police personnel on November 17. The accused allegedly formed a pre-planned conspiracy and gathered at the Khambhat police station, where they created a ruckus and assaulted a police constable.

The six accused—Zubair Liaqat Malik, Shakeel Bhathiyaro Chandmiya’s Son, Zubair Bhathiyaro, Adil (also known as Datti Rajubhai Sheikh), Sohel (also known as Baba Siddiqbhai Sheikh), and Majid Akeekwala (all hailing from Khambhat) along with 20-25 other individuals, have been booked under sections 189(2), 191(2), 190, 121, 115(2), 352, 221, 223, and 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code.

The incident occurred after four minors unknowingly tore up pages of a religious book, which were scattered from a giant wheel during the final day of the 10-day Diwali mela at Chakdol Ground in the city. The incident allegedly hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community, and the accused took advantage of this to gather at the police station and cause a disturbance.

According to the complaint filed by Police Constable Alkesh, the accused formed a pre-planned conspiracy and united to form an illegal group with the intention of carrying out their common purpose. Four young boys, sitting on the wheel ride, were seen throwing pieces of paper with writing in Urdu, which was mistakenly assumed to be from the religious book of the Muslim community, the Quran. This misunderstanding caused distress to the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. The accused, along with others, went to the police station, where they verbally abused the complainant. Accused Zubair physically confronted the complainant, punched him in the chest, grabbed the collar of his shirt, and tore off the buttons. Other accused and members of the crowd also got involved in the scuffle, physically pulling and disturbing the complainant. This caused an obstruction to the complainant’s lawful duties as a police officer and violated public order as directed by the District Magistrate. DeshGujarat