MT Desk: Seven Muslim men have been booked after a video showed them offering namaz inside the electricity department office of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra’s Nashik District during Ramadan, leading to political protests and police action. The FIR was registered at Killa Police Station in Nashik Rural after the clip, recorded on Monday (23 February), surfaced online on Wednesday.
According to police, sections 132, 189(2), 190 and 292 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked, along with provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act. The FIR alleges obstruction of government work, unlawful assembly and violation of prohibitory orders. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded strict action after the video circulated on social media. A memorandum was submitted by a Hindu organisation, and senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya reportedly raised the matter with the chief minister.
Police said the case was registered after the complaint and the viral video prompted public reaction. Representatives of those who offered namaz denied any intention to offend religious sentiments or disrupt official work. Speaking to local media in Malegaon, one representative said, “There was no electricity supply in our area on Monday. We had gone to the electricity department office to file a complaint.”
He added, “When we reached, the officer was not present in his cabin. While we were waiting, the time for Asr (late afternoon) namaz came. We saw a vacant space inside the office and offered our prayers there.” The representative said they prayed briefly and did not create any disturbance. “If we had gone outside to pray, we might not have met the officer and our complaint about the power supply would have remained pending. There was no bad intention behind it,” he said.
Police confirmed that Lukman Kamal (Salim) and around six others have been named in the FIR. An officer said, “We have registered the case as per the complaint received. Investigation is ongoing.” The officer did not comment on the contents of the viral video but said statements are being recorded.
The incident has led to debate in Malegaon, a city with a large Muslim population, especially as it occurred during Ramadan. A resident said, “People were only trying to resolve their electricity issue. If they prayed while waiting, it should have been handled calmly.” Another resident said, “Government offices must remain neutral spaces. At the same time, matters like this should not be turned into communal controversy.” Police have appealed for restraint and urged people not to circulate inflammatory messages on social media. The investigation continues, and officials said further steps will depend on the findings.