Daijiworld Media Network- Bhopal

Bhopal, Sep 9: Tension gripped parts of the city on Monday night after allegations of stone-pelting at a Ganesh idol immersion procession near Arif Nagar. The incident led to protests by members of Hindu organisations, who surrounded the Gautam Nagar police station demanding immediate action.

Police later registered an FIR naming three persons and assured that a thorough probe is underway. Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra appealed for calm, stressing that all aspects of the case are being verified.

According to the complaint filed by Charan Singh Kushwaha (33), president of Hindu Ekta Navayuvak Shri Ganesh Utsav Samiti, the tableau carrying idols left East Nishatpura around 8 pm for immersion. At around 9:15 pm, near Arif Nagar Gate No. 2, stones were allegedly hurled at the procession, damaging idols. The complaint named Yamin, Abdul Halim, Sahil alias ‘Bachcha’ and others as accused. Police registered a case under sections 299, 196 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

However, investigators have noted certain discrepancies. Sources revealed that the location mentioned in the complaint does not fully match initial findings, while CCTV footage so far has not captured the stone-pelting incident. Moreover, the FIR was lodged nearly 30 minutes after the alleged occurrence. Despite this, police clarified that arrangements were robust citywide and that nearly 4,000 immersions were conducted peacefully.

Meanwhile, a twist has emerged with the resurfacing of an earlier FIR filed by Abdul Halim (36), one of the accused in the current case. Halim, a scrap tyre trader from Arif Nagar, had complained at the same police station on August 8 that his vehicle was blocked while unloading tyres near Nishatpura overbridge. In his complaint, Halim alleged that Charan Kushwaha himself, along with three others, stopped his vehicle, snatched its ignition key, abused him and issued threats. He added that he delayed reporting the matter due to fear.

With both sides now accusing each other in separate cases, police said that investigations will continue “on merit and evidence.”