NAGPUR: Fahim Khan, president of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), is believed to be one of the key instigators of the Mahal riot on Monday.
Arrested a day ago by Ganeshpeth police, Khan had earlier led a mob to the Ganeshpeth

Police

Station to lodge a complaint after Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) allegedly burned a Holi chadar and an effigy of Aurangzeb at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue near Gandhi Gate in Mahal.
The court has remanded Khan and 26 others to police custody until March 21 for custodial interrogation. He is a resident of the Yashodhara Nagar area.
After filing the complaint, Khan also recorded a video outside the Ganeshpeth Police Station, criticizing the police and the minority commission. The video was later circulated on various social media groups.

According to a senior official, Khan was not named in the FIR but was arrested for allegedly instigating the mob, which later went on a rampage, attacking police officers and the public in central Nagpur, with Mahal as the epicenter.
"If not the mastermind, Khan is certainly an instigator. We witnessed him provoking the mob against the police and others," said a senior police official.
Nagpur Violence
The

violence

, which erupted late Monday night, saw large-scale arson, stone-pelting, and attacks on police personnel, leading to a citywide security crackdown.
The unrest broke out just 2km from the fortified RSS headquarters after protests demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb spiraled out of control. The clashes left at least 10 anti-riot commandos, two IPS officers, and two firemen injured.
Mobs torched two JCB machines and 40 vehicles, vandalized police vans, and clashed with security forces.
Police launched combing operations, arresting at least 50 rioters, while the Union home ministry sought a report on the incident, which comes just weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to the city.
Sources said the violence was triggered by rumours that right-wing activists had burned effigies of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and a religious ‘chadar’ near Shivaji Putla Square at Mahal Gate.
The unrest escalated as crowds gathered, demanding action against those involved. Clashes erupted at Chitnis Park Chowk, where riot-control police faced heavy stone-pelting.
As violence spread, curfew was imposed in several areas under Section 163.
Over 1,000 police personnel were deployed across central Nagpur, including in Mahal, Chitnis Park Chowk, and Bhaldarpura. Key roads such as Fawwara Chowk, Gandhi Putla Chowk, and Badkas Chowk were sealed off. Riot-control vehicles, including water cannons and tear gas units, were used to disperse mobs.
City police, aided by intelligence agencies and the anti-terrorism squad (ATS), are investigating potential security threats. Authorities suspect social media misinformation played a significant role in mobilizing crowds.

A day after mob violence rocked Nagpur, nearly 30% of the city remained under curfew, with 1,000 security personnel fortifying sensitive areas.
Police have booked over 1,200 people across six FIRs, including members of VHP and Bajrang Dal, after an effigy-burning incident triggered widespread arson. At least 70 people, including 34 cops, were injured, with two civilians battling for life.
Disturbing reports emerged of attacks on police personnel, including a woman officer who was groped and an IPS officer attacked with an axe.
Security has been heightened, with schools shut, surveillance intensified, and authorities urging restraint to prevent further escalation.

An FIR registered at Ganeshpeth Police Station has revealed that a woman police officer was allegedly molested by one of the accused during the Nagpur violence.
The FIR states that the accused misbehaved with the Riot Control Police (RCP) officer, touched her uniform and body, and made obscene gestures.
Officials also reported that rioters hurled petrol bombs and stones at the police during the clashes.