Latest news with #HamidEngineer
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Court grants bail to Hamid Engineer in March 17 riots case
Nagpur: A sessions court here on Monday granted conditional bail to Hamid Engineer , a local political activist and founder of Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), in the case relating to inciting communal violence through social media posts before the March 17 riots in Mahal. Additional sessions judge NB Ojha approved the bail on a surety of Rs50,000. As part of the conditions, the 69-year-old accused is barred from leaving the country and is ordered to report to the Cyber police station in Sadar every Tuesday and Friday at 11 am. He is also required to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. Police charged Engineer, whose full name is Mohammad Hamid Mohammad Hanif, under sections related to sedition and rioting, citing his alleged role in provoking tensions that escalated during a protest seeking the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb. His arrest followed that of Mohammad Shehzad Parvez Mohammad Ibrahim (45), also from Nagpur, in connection with the same case. According to police officials, Engineer's speeches and online posts were a catalyst for the unrest. Investigators claim he maintained close ties with Fahim Khan, MDP's Nagpur city president and one of the main accused in the case. The Cyber police allege that both individuals used inflammatory rhetoric to deepen communal divisions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Mysterious Photos That Cannot Be Explained True Edition Undo Engineer, a retired public works department employee, rose to prominence in 2002 after leading a mosque control dispute in Mominpura, where he challenged the Tablighi Jamaat's authority and championed Barelvi Sunni practices. Known for his Sufi-leaning politics and community activism, he has remained a controversial figure in the city's minority politics. His counsel, advocate Ashwin Ingole, filed the bail application. The police earlier opposed bail, asserting the need for further custodial interrogation. After the investigating officer failed to appear in the previous hearing, the court granted final opportunity for argument on April 21 before pronouncing its decision.
Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Nagpur violence: MDP founder Hamid Engineer granted bail
The Judicial Magistrate of First Class (JMFC) court on Monday granted bail to founder and working president of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP) Hamid Engineer who was arrested in connection with the Nagpur violence. Mohammad Hamid Mohammad Hanif, also known as Hamid Engineer, 69, was named in an FIR by the cyber cell of Nagpur police over the March 19 violence in the city following a call by right-wing groups to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb. Engineer was booked under sections, 192 (fabricating false evidence), 196 (using false evidence), 352 (1) (b) (statements promoting enmity), 353 (1) (c) (acts intended to incite violence or disturb public order via internet), 353 (2) of the BNS and relevant sections of the IT Act. Hamid Engineer had approached the court seeking to grant bail on March 26. In his bail application, Hamid Engineer had mentioned that the Nagpur police had alleged that during the period from March 17 to 19 , Engineer had shared online posts inciting communal riots and intended violence against the police force. Engineer argued that the claims were baseless, and also submitted that he had posted about Aurangzeb's tomb on March 16, a day before the violence. In the court, Engineer's lawyer claimed there is no evidence against him, and that he was not connected to the offence. The lawyer also said the investigation is over and nothing is left to be recovered. However, the public prosecutor opposed the bail, calling the charges serious. The prosecutor argued that releasing the accused could lead to more violence and disturb law and order. He also claimed the accused instigated the violence in Nagpur and might tamper with evidence if freed. The court granted Engineer bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000. Engineer had founded the MDP which has contested elections in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh but has failed to make any significant political inroads. One of his party's functionaries, Fahim Khan, was also arrested in connection with the Nagpur violence.
