Fahim Khan files for bail, court seeks govt response

Nagpur: A sessions court on Monday issued a notice to the Maharashtra govt, directing it to file a response by April 1 on the bail application of Fahim Shamim Khan (38), who was accused of orchestrating the recent violence in the city. The hearing took place before sessions judge RJ Rai.Khan, who serves as the city president of the Minority Democratic Party, pleaded innocence, claiming that he was falsely implicated due to political pressure. His counsel, Ashwin Ingole, argued in court that Khan respects law and order and should be granted bail.Representing the state, district govt pleader Nitin Telgote accepted the court's notice. The Ganeshpeth police had registered an FIR against Khan on March 18, booking him under sedition charges along with other serious offences. He was arrested the same day and has remained in police custody since then.The court has now sought the govt stand on the bail plea, with further proceedings scheduled for April 1. Khan, a burqa seller and son of a cycle repair shop owner, contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections against Union minister Nitin Gadkari, and had secured 1,000 votes.