RTI activists attacked near Jama Masjid
Couple Blames Imam's Men
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
NewDelhi:An RTI activist who is a PhD scholar in JNU, Sheeba Fehmi, and her husband Arshad, also an RTI activist, were allegedly attacked and their house and office in Jama Masjid area damaged when a mob of 150-odd men forcibly entered the premises on Saturday evening.
Sheeba Fehmi claimed the mob shouted slogans in support of Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid. While a case of criminal trespass has been registered, both the police and the Shahi Imam denied the mob had any links with Bukhari. Imam Bukhari told TOI, "I have heard about the incident but it was an internal matter between the two groups and I have nothing to do with the incident. It does not merit a comment from me."
On Sunday, a group of teachers, writers and journalists released a statement demanding action against the attackers and proper security for the couple. The attack was reported around 4.30pm on Saturday when Sheeba and her husband Arshad Fehmi, also an RTI activist, were at home with their son.
"There is no connection of the Imam with this case and there were no pro-Imam slogans chanted by the attacking mob," said additional DCP (Central) Aslam Khan. "No arrests have been made so far and no one was injured. We are yet to record all statements and are investigating the case," he added.
According to the police, the couple has been fighting against illegal encroachments in the area. "For several years, they had been filing RTIs for illegal encroachments and had complained that there was illegal cutting of auto parts in the motor market. As a result of their activism, one resident showed up at Fehmi's residence with 150-odd supporters and broke office equipment," said a senior police officer.
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