By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Scores of supporters of former minister Intezar Abedi Bobby torched DIG’s effigy near Chota Imambara on Sunday. Demanding the release of Bobby, the supporters also held demonstration inside Chota Imambara.
Bobby was arrested by STF sleuths on Saturday for his involvement in Saifi murder case. He is also an accused in the arson incident at the Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s residence. Meanwhile, family members of deceased Saifi on Sunday expressed satisfaction over police action and over Bobby’s arrest. They claimed that police has taken the step after thorough investigation.
Bobby’s supporters gathered at Chota Imambara at around 4 pm to protest against his arrest. Carrying placards demanding the release of Bobby, the supporters torched an effigy of DIG DK Thakur. Heavy police force including PAC was deployed to avert any untoward incident. Several Shia clerics too joined the protest and claimed that Bobby has been implicated in the case. Some prominent clerics included Maulana Tahir Bandwi, Maulana Tasqeen Mehdi, Maulana Ameer Haider, Maulana Obaidur Rehman Nadwi, Maulana Ansar Hussain and Mirza Shafiq Hussain.
They too demanded his release and revoking of the case. Earlier when Bobby was brought to Wazirganj police station on Saturday night, Shia clerics including Spokesperson, All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB), Maulana Yasoob Abbas and Maulana Ameer Haider reached police station. Later Bobby was admitted to Balrampur hospital following chest pain.
Meanwhile family members of Saifi including his uncle, aunty and wife during an interaction with media at their residence expressed satisfaction over the police action. “It happens sometime that someone close is involved in the crime. Police has taken the step of arresting Bobby after detailed investigation. We are satisfied over the developments,” said Aneesa Bano.
She also stated that Bobby had visited them once and expressed condolence over Saifi’s murder and assured that things will be soon clear. However the family denied that they had any enmity with Bobby. “Even Saifi never had any tussle with Bobby and both were on good terms,” they said. The family also claimed that they had received threatening call for not pursuing the case. They also denied any angle of illicit relations in the incident.
Earlier, Saifi, a clerk in social welfare department was gunned down on March 2 this year opposite Shiksha Bhawan in Wazirganj locality. Bobby’s name figured in the case after notorious brothers Salim, Rustam and Sohrab confessed before Delhi police that they had killed Saifi at the behest of Bobby. The trio was arrested in connection with a loot and murder at a jeweller’s shop in Krishna Nagar. Bobby is a prominent BSP leader.