BJP corporator booked for inciting communal hatred

Moradabad (UP), Jun 19: A BJP corporator has been booked for inciting communal hatred after he allegedly tried to stop a Muslim woman from taking possession of a house she had bought in a Hindu dominated area.

A case has been registered against Corporator of Ward 36 Vidhya Saran, alias Bittu, under Section 153A of IPC at Khatghar Police station after the incident last night, police said.

According to police sources, a local resident Shashi Prabha had sold a house to Rehana Bi in Mohalla Gadikhanna. "When Rehana came to occupy the house after the registry of the property, local residents stopped her from entering the house," said Anil Kumar Raghav, Inspector, Kathghar Police station.

It is alleged Saran too reached the area and stopped Rehana from taking possession of the house. "He told Rehana why she wanted to stay here when it is a Hindu populated area. He said the neighbours will object to her foods habits and other religious activities," sources alleged.

The BJP Corporator, however, claimed that he had only tried to mediate in a dispute over property as the house owner had also sold the property to Ankit Sharma. "When Rehana entered the house, she was stopped by Ankit Sharma, who had paid Rs 3 lakhs in advance to Prabha, from entering the house.

He asked Prabha to return the advance," Saran said. The Corporator claimed that he was called by local residents to resolve the issue. "I tried to resolve the issue. But it was chaos all around. Nobody was ready to listen to me. I tried to tell Rehana that her culture is different, why is she so interested in residing here.

But she didn't pay any heed to me," said the Corporator. The incident lead to tension in the area as members of both the communities gathered.

"To maintain law and order, a case has been registered against Corporator Vidhya Saran under section 153 a (IPC) and the property has been sealed by police," Inspector Raghav said.

PTI