Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh): Police in Bareily district of Uttar Pradesh have detained 12 Muslim men for praying in an empty without ‘permission’, drawing condemnation from netizens and politicians.
According to police, the incident took place in Mohammadganj village, where villagers complained that a vacant house was allegedly being used as a “temporary madrasa” for several weeks. Acting on the information, police reached the spot and stopped the prayers as a precautionary measure.
A video purportedly showing people offering namaz inside the house has since gone viral and is being examined as part of the investigation, officials said.
Police stated that the 12 men were issued challans under sections related to breach of peace and were later produced before a magistrate, who granted them bail. Efforts are underway to trace three other individuals who were allegedly involved and are currently absconding.
SP (South) Anshika Verma said that conducting any new religious activity or gathering without permission violates the law. “Strict action will be taken if such activities are repeated,” she said, while appealing to residents to maintain peace and law and order.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that the vacant house belongs to a man identified as Hanif and was being used temporarily for Friday prayers. Police said no written permission or valid documents were produced when sought by authorities.
The incident has drawn political reactions, with Congress leader Dr Shama Mohamed questioning the police action. In a post on social media, she asked under which law the men were detained and accused the authorities of targeting citizens for offering prayers inside a private property.
Police, however, maintained that the action was preventive in nature and aimed at avoiding any potential law and order situation following objections raised by some villagers.
