Hyderabad: Setback for Asaduddin Owaisi, bail plea rejected

, Jan 22: In a major setback for

, a court on Tuesday, Jan 22 rejected his plea over a 2005 protest case.

Owaisi, the chief of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), earlier on Monday had surrendered himself before a court. Asaduddin's "recall petition" seeking to cancel non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him was dismissed. Later, he was sent to judicial custody till Feb 2.

Shops, business houses and educational institutes remained shut in the old city and other Muslim-dominated areas in the state capital.

The government road transport corporation suspended most of its bus services while auto-rickshaws also remained off the roads. The usually buzzing area around the Charminar remained deserted. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Asaduddin along with his brother Akbaruddin and other MIM leaders were accused of abusing and protesting against Anil Kumar Singhal, the then Medak district collector.

Mr Singhal had led the road-widening works at Mutangi village of Patancheru mandal on Apr 16 in 2005. However, Mr Singhal had allegedly been threatened and opposed by Owaisi brothers, who had obstructed the officials from carrying out their duties alleging that a place of worship was being damaged.

Both Owaisi brothers were booked under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 153 A (promoting enmity between groups), 353 (assault on a public servant obstructing him of discharging duties), 290 (punishment for public nuisance), 295 (deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings) and 506 (criminal intimidation) among others.

OneIndia News