New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh police have arrested one more accused in relation to the attack on All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s convoy on February 3. According to the police, he had provided illegal weapons to the prime accused arrested earlier this month.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Hapur, Sarvesh Kumar Mishra told news agency ANI, "One more was arrested in connection with firing at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's convoy on February 3. He had provided illegal weapons to prime accused Sachin Sharma. Necessary action being taken."
The two accused arrested earlier by the police were identified as Sachin Sharma who hails from Greater Noida’s Badalpur and Shubham who hails from Saharanpur.
On February 3, the two had opened fire multiple rounds of gunshots on Owaisi’s convoy at Chhajarsi toll plaza in Meerut when he was returning to Delhi after campaigning for UP elections.
As per the ANI report, the two accused had followed Owaisi’s car when he left Meerut. They overtook the convoy and waited at the Chhajarsi toll. When Owaisi’s car reached the toll plaza, they fired upon it.
The accused were earlier sent to 14-day judicial custody in which they claimed that they were hurt by Owaisi’s “anti-Hindu statements” and hence carried out the attack.
The FIR was registered in the Pilkhua police station in Hapur after a complaint from AIMIM’s Yameen Khan.
In light of the incident, Owaisi was given ‘Z’ category security from the central government, but he declined it saying that he only demands a fair investigation in the case and justice.