Abdul Malik, the main accused in Haldwani violence (file photo)
Abdul Malik, the alleged mastermind of Uttarakhand violence, missing for 16 days, was arrested from Delhi today, police said.
On 8 February, violence broke out over the demolition of an illegally constructed madrassa in Banbhulpura area of Haldwani, with locals throwing stones and petrol bombs at municipal corporation staff and police, forcing several police personnel to take shelter in a police station. It had to happen, after which the crowd got angry. Set on fire.
According to police, six rioters were killed and more than 100 people, including police personnel and media persons, were injured in the violence.
Abdul Malik had constructed the Madrasa and strongly opposed its demolition. His wife Safia Malik had moved the High Court seeking suspension of the demolition process, but failed to get immediate relief. It is alleged that Malik had instigated violence in Banbhulpura. He was missing since the day the violence broke out.
His lawyers had filed an anticipatory bail plea for him in the Haldwani sessions court, claiming that their client was not present in the area on the day of the violence. The Delhi address of the accused has also been mentioned in the appeal.
After seeing the application, Uttarakhand Police reached the Delhi address and arrested Abdul Malik. Now he is being brought back to the state.
More than 50 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence.
Earlier, the municipal corporation in Haldwani had issued a recovery notice of Rs 2.44 crore against Abdul Malik, asking him to deposit the money to compensate for the damage caused to government property during the violence.
Also, Haldwani Civil Court had issued orders to confiscate the property of nine criminals including Abdul Malik and his son. The houses have since been confiscated by the authorities.
