Bulldozer action at house of key accused in Nagpur communal violence

Khan, who hails from Malegaon and is a local politician, was arrested last week and faces charges of sedition.

Mumbai: A week after Nagpur was hit by communal riots, JCB machines rolled out and demolished a house belonging to Fahim Khan, the alleged mastermind of the communal violence.

The action comes a couple of days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state’s Home Minister, warned of “bulldozer action” and recovery of the damages from the accused persons.

Meanwhile, the situation was normal in Nagpur, however, tight security arrangements were in place, particularly the areas, which were hit by violence.

The March 17, 2025 communal flare up took place hours after Right-wing organisations including Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal gave a call to raze the grave of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb located in Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. During the protests, some videos and rumours went viral on social media platforms triggering the violence.

One person has died in the violence.

So far, over 100 persons have been arrested including Khan, a leader of the Minority Democratic Party, who has been booked for sedition.

A few days back, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation issued a notice to Khan, citing various lapses and lack of the building plan approval.

The house, located at Sanjay Bagh Colony in Yashodhara Nagar area here, registered in the name of Khan’s mother.

The house was located on a plot of Nagpur Improvement Trust (Lease) and the lease ended in 2020.There was no sanction plan for the building and the entire construction was unauthorised, the source said, adding the action was being taken under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act.

“We have given the necessary notice before the demolition was undertaken,” NMC Assistant Municipal Commissioner Harish Raut said.

A strong posse of police officers and personnel were present when the demolition took place.

Besides, some illegal portion of a property belonging to another accused Yusuf Shaikh in then Johripura area of Mahal was demolished.

Two shops linked to the accused too were sealed.

Last week, Fadnavis, a six-time MLA from Nagpur, said: "Whatever damage has happened will be recovered from the rioters. If they do not pay the money their property would be seized and sold for recovery...wherever required, bulldozers will roll out."