AIMIM corporator & kin booked on murder bid charge

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The city police have booked an AIMIM corporator and 10 of his family members for attempt to murder following an attack on ISLAM (Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra) office-bearer Rafat Yaar Khan in the Juna Bazar area on Thursday.

An FIR for attempt to murder and rioting was registered on Friday. Police said the attack is suspected to be a fallout of an earlier clash between the two groups. On March 20, Rafat and some of his associates were booked by Kranti Chowk police for allegedly assaulting Minhaj Khan at Sillekhana crossroads. Minhaj had sustained considerable injuries in that incident, including stitches inside his mouth.

However, AIMIM corporator Meraj Khan, who has also been named as an accused in the Friday's FIR, said that at least seven people of the 11 named in the FIR were not even present at the spot when the incident took place. "We are being framed in the false case and demand an in-depth probe so that the facts come out," said Meraj. DCP (zone-I) Pankaj Atulkar said, "We will ensure a fair probe. Appropriate action will be taken against those at fault."

According to the City Chowk police, Rafat was riding a moped along with his associate and fellow office-bearer Abul Hasan Hashmi when they were allegedly waylaid by suspects. The attackers, armed with iron rods and sticks, reportedly assaulted Rafat, leaving him with head injuries.

Rafat and Abul are former AIMIM office-bearers but rebelled against the party after they were denied tickets in the municipal corporation polls. The duo contested the elections and lost.

The incident occurred in a busy part of the old city. Police said the assault lasted for several minutes before the attackers fled. Rafat was later rushed to the Govt Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where he is currently recuperating. His condition is stable, said officials. Based on Rafat's complaint, police have registered a case against 11, including AIMIM corporator Meraj Khan and his brother Minhaj Khan, under charges of attempt to murder, rioting and other relevant sections.