Hubballi stone pelting case: Accused Waseem Pathan arrested, denies hand in violence
India Today
Main accused Waseem Pathan has been arrested for his alleged role in a stone pelting incident in Karnataka's Hubballi. Four policemen were injured in the violence.
Karnataka Police on Wednesday arrested the main accused in the Hubballi stone pelting case. The accused, identified as Waseem Pathan, is a local Maulvi allegedly involved in violence that broke out on Saturday.
Pathan said he was called in to bring the situation under control as the angry mob confronted the police with regard to a defamatory social media post.
He said, "People gathered in front of police station to file a complaint. Seeing the situation unfold, I was called to talk to those gathered. I spoke to the police as well. I was told by police to climb atop police vehicle, talk to them and ask them to return to their homes."
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"I did not instigate the mob," he added in a video released hours before his arrest.
According to Hubballi Police commissioner, four policemen were injured in the stone pelting incident and 126 people have been arrested so far. All the accused arrested were involved in provocation, stone pelting and an attempt to riot.
A purported video of Waseem Pathan standing atop the police commissioner's vehicle instigating the mob was widely shared on social media. Section 144 was imposed on the entire city following the incident.
