UP: Two arrested for death of Muslim driver who was assaulted by kanwariyas
In Uttar Pradesh, two individuals were arrested in connection with the death of a 24-year-old Muslim truck driver, Azeem Ali, who died four days after allegedly being assaulted by a group of kanwariyas in Hapur district on July 31. According to reports, Ali collided with an auto rickshaw driven by Farman, a kanwariya, leading to an altercation. A viral video showed Ali being attacked by a group of men, including a police officer, which sparked widespread attention. Ali was hospitalized in Meerut before being transferred to Delhi, where he fell into a coma and eventually passed away on August 4. His family filed a complaint against Farman and others, while Farman's family countered with a claim that Ali's truck caused their son's injuries. The police have registered two separate cases, one for the alleged assault on Ali and another for attempted murder against Ali. The Kanwar Yatra, a religious pilgrimage involving kanwariyas, was ongoing during the incident.
A 26-year-old woman from Bhadohi district in Uttar Pradesh has accused her husband and two other relatives of assaulting her during pregnancy, resulting in a miscarriage and leaving her unconscious on a roadside. Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Wednesday against Rakesh Kumar Saroj, his mother Rita Devi, and his brother Brijesh Kumar Saroj. The incident occurred on August 10, when the woman, identified as Sapna Saroj, was allegedly attacked while two months pregnant. According to the police, the assault led to severe injuries to her head, hands, legs, and waist, culminating in a miscarriage and loss of consciousness. Sapna and Rakesh Kumar married in February 2017 and have two children. However, according to the police, Rakesh allegedly suspected his wife's fidelity and subjected her to prolonged physical and mental abuse over the past five years, including refusing to acknowledge their two children as his own. This tension escalated when Sapna became pregnant for the third time in June, and Rakesh allegedly refused to accept the unborn child. On the night of August 10, Rakesh and Rita allegedly assaulted Sapna, leading to her miscarriage and unconsciousness. The woman was found bleeding on a roadside in Gosai Bazar around 4 a.m. before being discovered by passersby and taken to Bhadohi district hospital for treatment. The FIR was registered on August 11 after Sapna approached Superintendent of Police Abhinav Tyagi with her complaint. The police stated that her brother-in-law, Brijesh Kumar Saroj, had repeatedly threatened her with violence if she sought help from authorities. The case is currently under further investigation, with the police examining all aspects of the allegations. The FIR includes charges under sections 89, 85, 351, 352, and 115 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, reflecting the severity of the alleged offenses. In another part of Uttar Pradesh, tensions arose during the Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage involving thousands of devotees carrying water from the Ganges to their respective regions. The pilgrimage, which began on July 30 and concluded on August 11, saw significant traffic disruptions in several areas. Authorities in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana issued advisories to manage the increased footfall and vehicular movement. In Delhi, traffic congestion was anticipated at key points such as Kalindi Kunj junction, Okhla Barrage road, and Noida-Kalindi Kunj road. Commuters were advised to avoid these areas and use alternate routes like NH-9 and NH-44. Gurugram in Haryana also faced challenges as heavy vehicle movement entered Delhi through Haridwar return paths. The traffic police recommended using the Dwarka Expressway and KMP Expressway via Panchgaon Chowk for smoother passage. In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, the Delhi-Meerut Expressway was restricted for general traffic on August 10 and 11 to ensure the safe movement of Kanwar devotees. Residents were encouraged to use public transport and NH-09 as alternatives. These measures aimed to mitigate the impact of the pilgrimage on daily commuting and infrastructure. Meanwhile, a separate incident in Hapur district highlighted the potential for conflict during the Kanwar Yatra. A 24-year-old Muslim truck driver, Azeem Ali, was allegedly assaulted by a group of Kanwariyas on July 31 after his truck collided with an auto rickshaw they had hired. The collision reportedly injured the auto rickshaw driver, Farman, who was standing near the vehicle. A video circulating on social media showed Ali being beaten by a group of men in front of a police officer. Ali was hospitalized in Meerut before being transferred to Delhi, where he fell into a coma and eventually died on August 4. Police registered an FIR against seven individuals, including four Kanwariyas, for murder, rioting, and voluntary causing of hurt. Lokesh and Shivam were arrested on Thursday, while the identities of the other suspects remained unclear. Farman’s father filed a counter-complaint, alleging that his son was struck by Ali’s truck. As a result, the police also registered a separate FIR against Ali for attempted murder. The incident underscores the complex dynamics surrounding the Kanwar Yatra, where religious fervor can sometimes lead to violent confrontations. Authorities continue to monitor both cases, with investigations ongoing into the assault on Sapna and the tragic death of Azeem Ali. The incidents highlight the need for vigilance and sensitivity during large-scale religious gatherings, ensuring that such events do not escalate into situations of violence or injustice.
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