Murder of Kishan Bharvad

Kishan Bharvad, a 30-year-old Hindu shopowner,[1] was shot by Shabbir and Imtiaz in the Modhwala locality in the city of Dhandhuka in Gujarat, India on 25 January 2022, and he died on the spot.[2][3] The 2 accused were arrested by the police.[3] The case is being investigated by the Anti-Terrorism Squad and the National Investigation Agency.[4][5]

Kishan Bharvad
Born
Modhwala, Dhandhuka, Gujarat, India
Died25 January 2022
Cause of deathShot twice by Islamists
Children1

Background

On 6 January 2022, Kishan had posted a video on social media in which the Hindu deity Krishna was depicted as "superior" to Islamic Prophet Muhammad and Jesus.[4][6] Shortly after this social media post, there was outrage by some members of Muslim community and a First information report (FIR) was filed on him under the incitement/blasphemy Law 8 days before the murder.[3] He was made to apologize, after which he was released by the police.[6]

Murder

At 5:30 on 25 January, as Kishan had moved outside his house for the first time since his release from police custody, he was shot by 2 bike-borne assailants later identified as Shabbir and Imtiaz by Gujarat Police.[2][4][6] Kishan died on the spot. Later, when the police tried to return the body to the family but they refused and only accepted the body and funeral proposals after meeting Hindu Organization leaders in the area.[3][2] Leaders from the Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal organized Bandh as a form of protest saying that the Hindu Youth was Martyred.[3]

Investigation

On 27 January, Maulana Ayyub, a Muslim Cleric, was arrested in Ahmadabad, Gujarat. On 29 January, the Gujarat Government handed this case over to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for further investigation. On 30 January, the ATS arrested Maulana Qamar Ghani, a Muslim Cleric, from Daryaganj, Delhi.[7][4]

On 2 February, the Gujarat ATS invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on both clerics, Ayyub and Qamar Ghani. According to the ATS, Maulana Qamar Ghani runs an Islamic organization called Tehreek Farogh-e Islami. This organization has circulated videos in pasts encouraging Muslim youth to attack non-Muslims who "insult" Islam.[8] On the same day, 3 more people were arrested. Razeem Seta, Hussain Khatri and Matin Modan were arrested for allegedly procuring the weapon and providing food and shelter to the accused.[9]

On 4 February, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined the investigation of the murder to investigate the possible terror angle. The ATS denied finding any Pakistani angle in the case.[5]

On 7 February, the ATS released the information that Maulana Ayyub had profiles of 26 individuals in his mobile that might be targeted in the future.[10] On the same day, the 3 main accused were sent in for extra 10 days of remand. According to the ATS, they are currently investigating a list of 10 persons who had allegedly insulted Islam.[1]

On 16 February, Maulana Qamar was sent to judicial custody.[11] On 10 April 2023, Maulana Qamar's bail appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court of India.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Dhandhuka murder: 3 accused in police remand for 10 more days". The Indian Express. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  2. "અમદાવાદના આ વિસ્તારમાં આજે જતા હોય તો રહેજો સાવધાન, ખેલાયો છે ખૂની ખેલ, ભારે અરાજકતા વચ્ચે બંધનું એલાન". Zee News Gujarati. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  3. "Dhandhuka observes bandh protesting murder of a Hindu youth". DeshGujarat. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  4. Gopi Maniar Ghanghar (30 January 2022). "Kishan Bharwad murder case: Gujarat ATS arrest cleric from Delhi | Here's all you need to know". India Today. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  5. "bharwad: Nia Joins Kishan Bharwad Murder Probe | Ahmedabad News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  6. "OPINION | Islam and Intolerance: The Daylight Murder of Kishan Bharwad". News18. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  7. Ashish Chauhan (30 January 2022). "ATS arrests Delhi-based cleric in Kishan Bharwad murder case | Ahmedabad News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  8. "Gujarat ATS invokes anti-terror laws against accused in Kishan Bharwad murder case". ANI News. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  9. "Dhandhuka murder: 3 men were held for 'sheltering shooters' who killed Bharwad". The Indian Express. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  10. "Big revelations in Dhandhuka Kishan murder case, investigating agencies found profiles of 26 people from Maulana Ayub's mobile". Twitter. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  11. "કિશન ભરવાડ હત્યા કેસ: 9 દિવસના રિમાન્ડ પૂર્ણ થતાં ભડકાઉ ભાષણ આપતો મૌલાના કમરગની જ્યુડિશિયલ કસ્ટડીમાં". VTV Gujarati. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  12. "किशन भारवाड़ हत्याकांड के आरोपी की जमानत याचिका SC में खारिज, सोशल मीडिया पर धार्मिक पोस्ट के कारण हुई थी हत्या". NDTVIndia. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
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