Charlie Hebdo: Qureshi will be probed after court order, say UP cops

Lucknow, Jan 10: The Uttar Pradesh police will seek legal recourse before probing the statement made by Haji Yakub Qureshi who had offered a reward of Rs 51 crore to the attackers of Charlie Hebdo. After booking a case against him the UP police say they will go before the court and seek it's permission to probe him.

Qureshi a former minister from Uttar Pradesh has been booked under Section 505(1) of the Indian Penal Code ( likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit any offence against another class or community).

U-turn:

Qureshi who had clearly told the media that he would offer a reward of Rs 51 crore to the attackers of Charlie Hebdo however reversed his statement. After a major hue and cry was made over his statement, he reversed it by claiming he had not said anything to this effect.

He had made a similar statement in 2006 when he had offered a reward to kill the Danish cartoonists who had drawn images of Prophet Mohammad. He was also involved in an incident in which he slapped a police constable three years back.

‎Arrest only after probe:

The Inspector General (law and order) of Uttar Pradesh Satish Ganesh informed when contacted that cases were booked. He however added that the investigation would begin only after a court order.

In such cases it is necessary that a court order is obtained, he also said. The process is being followed and we will proceed as per law he also informed.

Muslim community condemns:

Qureshi's remarks have come under severe condemnation by various Muslim leaders. Many have termed it as insensitive while others called it irresponsible and childish.

The leaders say that this statement was aimed at cheap publicity and does not impress the Muslim community as a whole. They have sought action against him and urged the police to probe into the matter seriously.

Oneindia News