An FIR was filed at Fakharpur police station in Bahraich district on October 5, following a complaint by Omkar Nath, priest of the Shri Ram Janaki Temple in Madhavpur village. The complaint alleges that on September 25, a procession carrying a Ganesh idol for immersion was obstructed at Khalidpur, with participants being insulted and threatened with death.
According to Fakharpur Station House Officer Ram Kumar Rajbhar, the accused allegedly made objectionable remarks and abused procession participants before police intervened. The idol was then taken for immersion under police supervision after the situation became tense.
The FIR names nine individuals, including district panchayat member Maulana Sarwar, village heads Hasir Khan (alias Namoon) and Kalamuddin Ansari, and village head representative Anil Mulla Qureshi, as well as Sabit Ali. It also lists around 100 unidentified persons. The case is charged under sections 196(1) for promoting enmity, 351(3) for criminal intimidation, and 352 for intentional insult of the Indian Penal Code.
Two accused, including Sabit Ali, have been arrested and produced before a court. Police are continuing efforts to locate and apprehend the remaining accused. Local residents note that Sarwar holds a district panchayat position, while Khan and Ansari serve as village heads.
