Wed Jun 25 17:42:11 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Nine Arrested in Aurangzeb Tomb Protest Riots**
**Mumbai, June 25, 2025** – The Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench has granted bail to nine individuals arrested in connection with riots that erupted on March 17, 2025, in response to demands for the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke ruled that prolonged incarceration without trial would serve little purpose, as the investigation was complete and a chargesheet had been filed.
The accused, including Mohammad Iqbal Ismail Ansari, Mohd. Absar Mohd. Ismail Ansari, and others, were arrested under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, and multiple State Acts. Charges included rioting, damaging public property, and assaulting police officers.
Each of the accused must execute a bond of ₹1 lakh with a surety of the same amount. The court also stipulated conditions, prohibiting similar activities, witness tampering, and mandating court attendance.
The prosecution argued against bail, citing evidence such as CCTV footage and WhatsApp group activity allegedly connecting the accused to the riots, characterizing their actions as “a form of terrorism.” The prosecution also claimed protesters outraged the modesty of female police officers. However, the defense countered that evidence was circumstantial, and the accused had already spent over three months in custody.
The riots reportedly began after rumors circulated about the burning of a ‘chadar’ with holy inscriptions during protests by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) seeking the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb. Police reports indicated stone pelting, arson, and attacks on law enforcement officials. According to police, a large group gathered, raised slogans, and attacked police officers with stones and petrol bombs, causing damage to public and government property.
Assistant Police Inspector Jitendra Gadge reported that a large group of nearly 500–600 people from the Muslim community gathered and raised slogans and attacked the police.
Over 123 individuals, including 19 juveniles, were initially arrested following the incident. The court’s decision marks a significant development in the case, highlighting the tension between maintaining public order and protecting individual rights.
First Piper 