Hyderabad: In another setback to the MIM, a court in Andhra Pradesh’s Medak district yesterday sent its chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi to jail in a case booked against him seven years ago.
The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief surrendered before a court in Sangareddy town, 65km from here, and was sent in judicial remand until February 2. He was subsequently shifted to a jail in the town.
His lawyers filed a bail petition on his behalf but the court adjourned the hearing to today.
The MIM chief’s arrest sparked tension and violent protests in parts of Hyderabad. Protesters stoned shops and buses in some places. Shops and business establishments were shut down in the old city and other Muslim-majority areas as MIM leaders called for a strike.
Police beefed up security in Hyderabad and other towns in Telangana region. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said barring minor incidents, the situation was peaceful.
Owaisi, who is prime accused in the case, surrendered after the court dismissed his petition for cancellation of the non-bailable warrant pending against him.
The MIM leader, his younger brother Akbaruddin Owaisi and others were booked by police on March 16, 2005, for obstructing officials from demolishing a place of worship to facilitate road extension at Muttangi village.
Police reopened the case against them after Akbar Owaisi, a sitting legislator, was arrested on January 8 for making hate speeches in Nirmal town of Adilabad district. Charged with sedition, waging war against nation and criminal conspiracy, the younger Owaisi is lodged in a jail in the district.
Police had presented Akbar Owaisi, as he is popularly called, before Sangareddy court on January 16. The court had adjourned the hearing until January 28.
Tension also prevailed in Sangareddy as MIM workers protested Asad Owaisi’s arrest and people in some areas voluntarily shut down the shops. Police baton-charged a group of protestors near the court complex and have beefed up the security in the communally sensitive town
IANS
