Godhra: More than six months after a violent mob vandalised the Godhra City B Division Police Station, police have arrested the main accused, social media influencer Zakir Ahmed Zabha, from Bhiwandi in Maharashtra.

The incident dates back to September 2025, when a video featuring Zabha went viral following his visit to the police station. Shortly thereafter, a large mob gathered outside the premises, surrounded the station, vandalised the police post, set parts of it on fire, and burned official documents. Police subsequently registered a rioting case against over 300 individuals, including Zabha.

Zabha fled Godhra the same night and remained untraceable despite extensive efforts by the Panchmahal police. His family members also left the town, and his mobile phone remained switched off during this period.

During the investigation, the Panchmahal police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) received inputs that Zabha was hiding in Mumbai. He was eventually traced to Bhiwandi, where he had reportedly taken up work at a toy factory and was staying near Nashik Road.

A police team in plain clothes conducted surveillance, confirmed his identity, and tracked his movements before apprehending him using a rickshaw and a two-wheeler to avoid detection.

Godhra Mob Violence: ‘Influencer’ Zakir Zabha Arrested from Bhiwandi in Maharashtrahttps://t.co/N6KKpGjwnH
(Videos 1 & 2: Visuals from September 2025 showing a mob at B Division Police Station in Godhra; Video 3: Arrested Accused) pic.twitter.com/bNQTvn2hKq

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) April 9, 2026

Preliminary investigation revealed that after fleeing Godhra, Zabha survived for nearly one-and-a-half months by begging and doing odd jobs before securing work as a labourer at the factory.

He was brought back to Godhra and handed over to the B Division Police Station for further investigation. A court on Wednesday evening granted the police 10 days’ remand for further interrogation.

135 Arrested So Far

According to police, the unrest was triggered after Zabha, who had been called to the police station for questioning over a controversial viral video, later released another video alleging police assault. This led to large-scale violence, with the mob pelting stones, damaging police property, and setting official records on fire.

So far, 135 accused have been arrested in connection with the case, while around 180 individuals remain absconding. DeshGujarat