Bengaluru violence: Meerut man offers Rs 51 lakh reward for head of Congress MLA’s nephew

MEERUT: A social worker and former SP leader was on Friday booked and arrested in Meerut for allegedly announcing a reward of Rs 51 lakh for killing Bengaluru Congress MLA’s nephew, whose “offensive” social media post allegedly sparked violence.
In Meerut, Shahzeb Rizvi recorded a video, venting his anger and announcing Rs 51 lakh cash prize for “anyone who brings the head of the accused”.He also made public an interesting fact, that he doesn’t have the required reward money and is expecting to get it from people “supporting his cause”.
“The Muslim community’s sentiments have been hurt due to the social media post of Congress MLA’s nephew. Whoever will get me the head of his nephew, will get Rs 51lakh in return. The money will be collected with the help of the people who support me in the cause,” says Rizvi.
As the video made the rounds of social media platforms, local police took note of it and filed a case.
The former SP's state president was booked under Indian Penal Code Section 153 (A) (to punish persons who indulge in wanton vilification or attacks upon the religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc of any particular group or class or upon the founders and prophets of a religion). Senior superintendent of police of Meerut Ajay Sahni, said, “We have ordered a probe after filing a case against Rizvi. He has been arrested.”
Rizvi was recently booked under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 for violating social distancing norms a few days ago. Meanwhile, SC/ST commission has also taken note of his statement and has asked the Meerut police to take action.