Aurangabad: AIMIM-corporator, who opposed resolution for Vajpayee's tribute, jailed
AIMIM corporator Sayyed Mateen Rashid was arrested by Aurangabad police and sent to judicial custody for one year. He was charged under Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act of 1981. Notably, last week, Rashid made news again as he was beaten by BJP corporators for allegedly opposing a resolution to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
BJP corporators thrashed Rashid, complained against him
Last week, BJP corporator Raju Vaidya tabled a proposal to pay tribute to Vajpayee at a meeting of the civic body. Rashid opposed this which led to saffron party members thrashing him. The incident was captured on camera. Later, a complaint was lodged against Rashid by BJP members for promoting enmity between two groups. He was arrested, and released on bail on Tuesday.
The incident was caught on camera
Police had no option but revoke MPDA: City commissioner
Soon after his release, a police team reached Harsul jail, where Rashid was lodged. They gave the order served by the commissioner under MPDA. He was arrested again and sent to judicial custody. Aurangabad Commissioner Chiranjeev Prasad saidmRashid was accused of serious offenses like arson, rioting, inciting mob etc. Hence, the police were left with no option but to book him under MPDA.
Meanwhile, AIMIM MLA accused police of being lenient on BJP-corporators
Rashid's second arrest was opposed by Syed Imtiaz Jaleel, AIMIM MLA from Aurangabad. He said the cases were political and insisted Rashid never opposed tribute. Jaleel then went to say he had a video of BJP members thrashing Rashid. He accused police of being lenient to BJP members and granting them bail. "We now plan to move High Court challenging their bail," he added.