Police Arrest Key Suspect Fahim Khan in Nagpur Riots Case

Fahim Khan Nagpur, March 19, 2025 – Authorities in Nagpur have arrested Fahim Shamim Khan, identified as a central figure in the violent riots that erupted in the city on March 17. Police allege that Khan, a local leader of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), incited violence by gathering a mob in multiple locations hours before clashes broke out, leading to widespread unrest, injuries, and property damage. Khan was taken into custody late Tuesday night and will remain under police supervision until March 21 as investigations continue.

The unrest, which rocked central Nagpur, was sparked by tensions surrounding protests led by right-wing groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. These groups had demanded the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb from Maharashtra, burning a symbolic effigy near Gandhi Gate in the Mahal area. According to a First Information Report (FIR) filed at Ganeshpeth Police Station, Khan mobilized dozens of individuals near the police station and later near a mosque in Mahal, allegedly spreading rumors of a holy book being desecrated to provoke the crowd. What followed was a violent outbreak that left at least 70 people injured, including 34 police officers, and prompted a citywide curfew.

Police reports indicate that Khan, 38, played a pivotal role in escalating tensions. After submitting a memorandum at Ganeshpeth Police Station demanding action against VHP activists, he reportedly recorded a video outside the station criticizing law enforcement and the minority commission. The video, circulated widely on social media, is said to have further inflamed sentiments. Authorities have pointed to this as evidence of Khan’s intent to incite unrest, with senior officials describing his actions as a “premeditated conspiracy” to disrupt communal harmony.

Police Arrest Key Suspect Fahim Khan in Nagpur Riots Case

The violence saw mobs armed with stones, axes, and petrol bombs clashing with police, torching vehicles, and vandalizing properties. Disturbing reports emerged of attacks on law enforcement, including an assault on a woman officer and an attempt on an IPS officer with an axe. Over 1,200 individuals have been booked across six FIRs, with Khan emerging as the alleged mastermind. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing the state assembly, condemned the riots as a planned attack, vowing strict action against those responsible.

Khan, who contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Nagpur against Union Minister Nitin Gadkari—losing by over 6.5 lakh votes—has been a known figure in local politics as the city president of the MDP. His arrest has intensified political debates, with opposition leaders criticizing the government’s handling of the situation, while others demand accountability for the scale of the violence.

As of Wednesday morning, Nagpur remains under heavy security, with over 2,000 police personnel deployed and a curfew enforced in sensitive areas. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities probing the role of social media misinformation and potential organizational backing behind the riots. Khan’s custody until March 21 will allow police to interrogate him further, as they work to uncover the full extent of the planning that led to one of Nagpur’s most significant disturbances in recent years.