FIR against Azam’s son for attack on political rival

Rampur: The political rivalry between Azam Khan and Kazim Ali Khan degenerated into a brawl here on Friday night, with Abdullah, son of the SP leader, attacking Haider Ali Khan, son of Kazim, in front of a police outpost at Bazar Nasrullah Khan. On the complaint of Haider Ali, police have registered an FIR against Abdullah under charges of criminal conspiracy and Abdullah's supporters have also been booked for attempt to murder. Haider's SUV was badly damaged in the attack.

More than 12 hours after the incident, supporters of Azam Khan also lodged an FIR against Haidar Ali Khan in a similar offence. Both the groups have alleged that gunshots were fired at them. During assembly elections, police had also registered an FIR against Haider and Abdullah under the charges of attempt to murder.

According to police officials, Haider was attacked by Samajwadi Party workers in the evening when he was returning home after attending a wedding ceremony. Near Bazar Nasrullah Khan, when his vehicle had slowed down, he was allegedly attacked and dragged out of it by the SP supporters. “According to the complaint, the assailants also started indiscriminate firing with the intent of killing Haider,” said an official.

Haider managed to escape and called the Kotwali police station. After news of the attack spread, hundreds of Kazim Ali’s supporters reached Kotwali police station and demanded the immediate arrest of Abdullah Azam and his aides.

Police registered an FIR against Abdullah under section 120 B (criminal conspiracy), while his aides, identified as Sami, Sakib Ahmed, Adil Jafar, Kamran and Sakib alias Munna were booked under sections relating to attempted murder, criminal intimidation, rioting and unlawful assembly of the IPC.

Kotwali police station SHO Manoj Kumar Singh said, “A police force was immediately rushed to the spot but the assailants managed to escape from the spot. We have raided various places to arrest the accused. Teams from the surveillance cell have also been deputed to check call details of Abdullah Azam to verify his links with the assailants at the time of the attack on Haider.”

More than 12 hours after the attack, Azam Khan’s supporters in turn lodged an FIR agains8t Haider and his father, Kazim Ali, under charges of attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy at Kotwali police station.

Meanwhile, Haider’s mother, Yaseen Ali, also met with the superintendent of police of Rampur and demanded the arrest of Abdullah.

“Azam Khan and his son have been hatching conspiracies to kill my son and husband over political rivalry. Azam feels threatened by them,” Yaseen added.

Rampur police has sent a report on the incident to the state government, and also inspected Haider’s vehicle, which was allegedly damaged in the attack.