In yet another display of his arrogance, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Friday declared the masjid a 'no-go area' for the police and prevented officers from carrying out a search operation after they had reached there on a tip-off suggesting possibility of a paper bomb in the premises.
Bukhari and his men reportedly stopped the policemen, including the SHO of the area from carrying out the search and shouted at them.
According to some eyewitnesses, the Imam and his supporters even beat up sub inspector Abdul Kalim when he opposed him. Shahi Imam had also abused and manhandled a TV reporter Yusuf Ansari on April 18 this year.
According to police sources, Jama Masjid SHO Davender Kumar had gone to the masjid with SI Abdul Kalim and an ASI of special staff Abrar Ahmad at 1.45 pm.
He had reportedly informed the supporters of Imam before going for the check but they did not in turn inform the Imam.
When the SHO with other police officers went to the main tomb of the mosque, the Imam stopped them and asked for the reason for checking without his permission. The SHO told him that he had received information about a paper bomb in the mosque and had informed his men to call him to cooperate.
But the Imam reportedly fell in argument with the officers. According to some sources, the Imam even pushed sub-inspector Abdul Kalim.
However, the Imam alleged that cops did not inform them and entered the mosque without permission.
Strangely, Imam's brother Yahyah Bukhari said, "The SHO and two others, when asked, told us that they had come to the mosque for hanging around which is not allowed for a cop in uniform."
He alleged that the SHO met two tourists before going to the tomb and was unnecessarily bothering them. "We have doubts that the SHO and two other cops were sent by the Government following some conspiracy against us and it should be inquired into properly and action should be taken against them," alleged Khan. He also asked the police to register an FIR against the cops.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Neeraj Thakur, however said, "We have not received any complaint from anybody and we are carrying out an inquiry into the incident". According to police sources, if the SHO and two others are found guilty in the incident, there could be an inquiry against them for impropriety but they were on duty and the Imam has harassed them while performing duty.
Meanwhile, the call was declared hoax as no paper bomb was found in the mosque.