The Uttarakhand Police on Saturday informed they have arrested the alleged key accused in the Haldwani violence, Abdul Malik, along with two associates.
Inspector General of Police (Provisioning and Modernisation), Nilesh Anand Bharne, also serving as the spokesperson for Uttarakhand Police, declared, "We have apprehended the main accused, Abdul Malik, in Delhi."
With these recent arrests, the tally of apprehended individuals has surged to 81.
Abdul Malik, purportedly the mastermind behind the Haldwani violence, evaded authorities for 16 days before his arrest in Delhi today.
The eruption of violence on February 8 stemmed from the demolition of an illicitly constructed madrassa in the Banbhoolpura vicinity of Haldwani.
Locals resorted to stone-pelting and hurling Molotov cocktails at municipal workers and law enforcement officers, leading to a harrowing scene where police personnel sought refuge within a police station, which was subsequently set ablaze by the mob.
The turmoil claimed the lives of six rioters, with over 100 individuals, including police officers and members of the media, sustaining injuries, as per police reports.
Abdul Malik, allegedly instrumental in the establishment of the madrassa and vehemently opposing its demolition, fomented violence in Banbhoolpura.
His wife, Safia Malik, had pursued legal recourse by petitioning the High Court for a suspension of the demolition, albeit without immediate success. Malik had remained elusive since the onset of the violence.
His legal representatives had filed an anticipatory bail plea on his behalf in the session court of Haldwani, asserting his absence from the area during the outbreak of violence, while also providing his Delhi residential details.
Acting upon this information, the Uttarakhand Police swiftly executed the arrest at the mentioned Delhi address. Abdul Malik is presently en route to the state.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prahlad Narayan Meena of Nainital had earlier stated that Abdul Malik, occupying "nazul land," had erected an illegal structure and spearheaded the protests against its demolition.
Authorities have already initiated the attachment of properties belonging to Abdul Malik and his son, Abdul Moid.
The Haldwani Municipal Corporation issued a notice to Abdul Malik on February 13, demanding a compensation of ₹2.44 crore for damages inflicted upon vehicles and equipment of the civic body during the February 8 violence.
Furthermore, the Haldwani Civil Court issued directives for the confiscation of property belonging to nine perpetrators, including Abdul Malik and his son.
Subsequently, their residences have been seized by authorities.
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