India: Seven Muslims Booked for Offering Prayer in Malegaon Electricity Department Office

India: Seven Muslims Booked for Offering Prayer in Malegaon Electricity Department Office
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Police in Maharashtra, India, have registered a case against seven Muslim men after a video showed them offering namaz inside the electricity department office of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation in Nashik district during Ramadan, prompting political protests and official action.

According to Clarion India, the First Information Report (FIR) was filed at Killa Police Station in Nashik Rural after the video, recorded on February 23, circulated on social media two days later. Authorities invoked sections 132, 189(2), 190 and 292 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, citing allegations of obstructing government work, unlawful assembly and violation of prohibitory orders.

Local leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party called for strict action after the clip went viral, and a memorandum was submitted by a Hindu organization. Senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya reportedly raised the issue with the chief minister.

A representative of the men said they had visited the office to file a complaint about a power outage and offered Asr prayers briefly while waiting for an official, denying any intention to disrupt work or offend sentiments.

Municipal Commissioner Ravindra Jadhav confirmed the incident occurred in his absence and said a complaint was filed after the matter drew public attention.

Police named Lukman Kamal (Salim) and six others in the FIR and said the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have urged the public to avoid circulating inflammatory content online.