Ghaziabad Police Arrest Man for Demolishing Mazar in Navyug Market Area
A 28-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday in Ghaziabad after a video emerged online showing a mazar being smashed with hammers in the Navyug Market area. The one-minute video, accessed by local media, depicts a group of men striking the religious structure with hammers while raising religious slogans, resulting in its complete demolition.
Police Investigation and FIR Details
ACP Kotwali Upasana Singh confirmed that the video was approximately two months old. Upon its online circulation, a police team was formed to investigate the matter. Sub-inspector Ankit Rathore visited the area and questioned over 20 people, learning that the mazar had been destroyed about two months ago. Witnesses reported that the perpetrators loaded the debris into a cart to eliminate any traces of the structure.
Based on the sub-inspector's reports, the police filed an FIR against unknown individuals under BNS sections 298, for injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult religion, and 324(4), for mischief causing damage amounting to 50 rupees. The arrested individual, identified as Adarsh Dubey, a Ghaziabad resident, is alleged to be a member of a fringe group. Dubey claimed the group took action because the structure was an encroachment and had not existed a few months prior.
Related Arrest in Sahibabad
In a related incident, police arrested Prince Thakur, aged 25, on Monday for demolishing a mazar located under a flyover near Hindon Chhath Puja Ghat in Sahibabad. This arrest followed the discovery of a video on social media showing Thakur and his associates using hammers and tools to destroy the structure. ACP Sahibabad Shweta Yadav stated that an FIR has been registered against Thakur under BNS sections 298 and 299, the latter for deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
ACP Pandey emphasized that police teams are actively searching for other individuals involved in the Navyug Market incident and expect further arrests soon. The investigations highlight ongoing efforts to address acts of religious vandalism in the region, with authorities leveraging social media evidence to pursue legal action.
