A mosque muezzin in Muzaffarnagar was arrested after a video showing him allegedly threatening a police inspector went viral on social media, police said on Friday. The accused, Mohammad Irfan, is the muezzin of Madina Masjid located in the Civil Lines police station area.
According to the police, the incident came to light after a video surfaced in which Irfan was seen angrily talking to members of Jamiat Ulema e Hind and threatening to kill a police inspector. Circle Officer City Siddharth Mishra said a case was registered against Irfan for threatening and obstructing a public servant. “We registered an FIR after the video came to our notice and arrested the accused. Further legal action is being taken,” Mishra told reporters.
The matter is linked to an earlier incident involving the use of loudspeakers at mosques. A few days ago, police launched a drive against loudspeakers being used at high volume or without permission. During this drive, police reached Madina Masjid, where Irfan alleged that Kachchi Sadak outpost in charge Vinod Chaudhary pushed and beat him while the azaan was being given. A video related to this allegation had also gone viral, following which Jamiat Ulema e Hind members submitted a memorandum to the senior superintendent of police demanding action.
While the police were looking into that complaint, another video surfaced showing Irfan making a threatening statement. In the video, Irfan appeared emotional and was heard saying that he would cut the inspector’s neck. After this video spread online, the police registered a fresh case under sections related to breach of peace and threats.
Police officials said the video was uploaded on official complaint portals, following which directions came from senior authorities to take action. Irfan was arrested from his home and sent to jail. He was later granted bail in the breach of peace case.
Meanwhile, some local residents and religious groups have expressed anger, claiming that no strict action has been taken against the police inspector accused of misbehaving with Irfan during the loudspeaker drive. The police, however, said the matter is being investigated, and action will be taken based on the findings.
