Police Investigate Assault on Muslim Man in Banda: 15 Booked

A viral video showing the assault of a Muslim man, Changez Khan, at a busy intersection in Banda has led to police launching an investigation and booking 15 people, including a member of a Hindu outfit. The incident, which involved rioting and criminal intimidation, took place on September 1.

A viral video showing the assault of a Muslim man at a busy intersection in Banda has prompted police to launch an investigation and book 15 individuals, including a member of a Hindu outfit, on charges of attempted murder.

The incident occurred on the night of September 1 at Banda Chowk, falling under the jurisdiction of Puranpur police station. The mother of the victim, Changez Khan, lodged a formal complaint.

A police official stated that a few days prior, Khan had been booked for allegedly molesting a local woman. The official clarified that both incidents cannot be linked until the inquiry is complete.

According to Khan's mother, while he was at a local shop, he was attacked by Sanjay Mishra of the Bajrang Dal and his associates. The group allegedly thrashed Khan, using a knife and a pistol to threaten him.

A purported video clip, shot late in the evening, showed a group of men dragging Khan on the road while continuing their assault. Khan's mother claims her son was rescued by a UP 112 police response vehicle. She also noted that the attackers misbehaved with the police.

Puranpur police station in-charge Rajeev Kumar Sharma confirmed the FIR has been lodged, and the investigation is ongoing. The FIR includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rioting, unlawful assembly, attempted murder, and criminal intimidation.

The individuals booked have been identified as Anmol, Sanjay Mishra, Raju Rathore, Dheeraj, and Deepak, along with 10 'unidentified' persons.

Sanjay Mishra, district president of the Bajrang Dal, claimed the incident involved a confrontation with motorcyclists who were allegedly forcing a girl away. He alleged that the motorcyclists hit one of his friends and used casteist slurs.