Police Arrest 'Haldwani Voilence Mastermind' Abdul Malik From Delhi

The Uttarakhand Police on Saturday arrested Abdul Malik, the alleged mastermind behind the violence in Haldwani. According to the reports, Haldwani police nabbed him in Nainital, and he was brought to Haldwani by the Nainital Police.

Earlier, on February 8, the district was hit by violence after the demolition of an illegally built madrasa in the Banbhoolpura area. After the incident, stone-pelting, arson, and confrontations took place between the locals and the policemen.

As per the police report, six people lost their lives and more than 100 people got injured, including police personnel and mediapersons in the violence.

Talking to the media, Nainital SSP Prahlad Narayan Meena said Abdul Malik and his wife Safia were among six people named for criminal conspiracy and fraudulently using a dead man's name for illegal plotting, construction, and transfer of land.

State authorities had issued a recovery notice to Abdul Malik for ₹2.44 crore. The notice was issued to cover the expenses incurred due to damage caused to government property during a period of violence.

The Haldwani Civil Court has issued orders for the confiscation of properties belonging to nine individuals involved in misconduct, including Abdul Malik and his son. Subsequently, authorities have taken action to attach their residences.