VHP activist held in Allahabad

ALLAHABAD: A Vishwa Hindu Parisad (VHP) activist, along with his business associate, was thrashed and handed over to the police for allegedly wearing a burqa and sneaking into a gathering of women at a place of worship, a charge denied by the brother of the accused who claimed that it was a fabricated case. The incident took place at Umarpur village in Mauaima police station area of the district's trans-Ganga region, about 40 kms from the city, yesterday. Abhishek Yadav and his business partner Atif had visited an Imambara where a function in the run up to Moharram was being held, police station in-charge Satinder Singh said. He said Yadav, whose wife is a member of the Zila Panchayat, had reached the venue allegedly wearing a burqa which enabled him to sit close to the women. An outcry ensued when some people caught a glimpse of his jeans and sports shoes underneath the burqa, following which the men present at the Imambara ripped off his burqa and beat him up besides thrashing Atif who had tried to intervene. According to Singh, Yadav, who was an active member of the VHP, has been booked in the past for rioting and creating communal disturbances. A case was registered against him yesterday and IPC sections for similar offences yesterday. Meanwhile, a cross-complaint has been lodged by Yadav's brother Veersen who has alleged that "Abhishek and Atif were waylaid close to the Imambara by a group of marauders who brutally assaulted the duo and snatched away their valuables before dragging them to the police station and fabricating a story". "Those who attacked Abhishek nursed a grouse against him because of his association with the VHP and a thriving business of ready made garments and sports goods," he said "They made him wear a burqa after beating him up, clicked his photographs and posted the same on social media to create the false impression that he was trying to create communal disturbances at a place of worship," Yadav's brother alleged. Police is investigating allegations made by both sides. Yadav and Atif have been admitted to a hospital for treatment, and adequate deployment of forces have been made in the village as a precautionary measure, the police station in charge said.