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All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, on Thursday, 3 February, said that shots were fired at his vehicle near a toll-plaza in Uttar Pradesh. Owaisi was en route to Delhi after attending an event in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut when the incident took place.
The police said on Friday, 4 February, that the two men, Sachin and Shubham, who were arrested in the case, have been sent to 14-day judicial custody.
"Two persons arrested for firing on the car of AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi yesterday have been sent to 14-day judicial custody," Deepak Bhuker, Superintendent of Police Hapur, was quoted as saying by ANI.
According to the police, Sachin Sharma and Shubham said that they carried out the act upon being hurt by purportedly 'anti-Hindu statements' of Owaisi, and they were 'Hardcore Hindus'.
Meanwhile, the central government has reviewed Owaisi's security and provided him with Z category security of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with immediate effect, news agency ANI reported, quoting sources.
Reacting to the same, Owaisi said:
"Speaker called me and asked about my well being. I'll talk to Speaker today," Owaisi was quoted as saying by ANI.
Earlier, Bhuker had told ANI that:
“Two persons have been arrested for firing on AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s convoy while he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. The investigation is underway.”
Meanwhile, Aurangabad MP Imtiaz Jaleel announced that AIMIM units will hold silent protests across the country on Friday.
Several shops in Hyderabad had shut down their shutters, and had raised black flags along with AIMIM flags on Thursday evening, in condemnation of the incident.
According to the officials, the two persons arrested told the police that they carried out the act upon being hurt by purportedly "anti-Hindu statements" of Owaisi.
Taking to Twitter, Owaisi shared a visual of the bullets on his car and wrote that four rounds were fired. Thereafter, he added:
"There were 3-4 people, all of them ran away and left the weapons there. My car got punctured, but I got out in another car and left. We are all safe. Alhamdu'lilah."
As per ANI, Owaisi had said that he was leaving for Delhi after a poll event in Kithaur, Meerut (UP), when the firing took place.
He further said that the tyres of his vehicle were punctured.
Owaisi Requests EC To Conduct an Independent Inquiry
Owaisi has also reportedly requested the election commission to order an independent inquiry into the shooting incident.
"It is the responsibility of the UP govt and Modi govt to conduct an independent inquiry. I will also meet the Lok Sabha Speaker on this matter," he added according to ANI.
Meanwhile, ANI reported on Friday (a day after the incident) that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is slated to give a detailed reply in Parliament on Monday regarding the incident.
The incident comes ahead of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, which are slated to take place early this month. Owaisi had, on 22 January, announced an alliance with Babu Singh Kushwaha and Bharat Mukti Morcha.
What Did the Police Say?
Stating that the police have taken immediate action, Prashant Kumar, ADG Law in UP, had earlier said:
"It seems that two people fired at him (Owaisi), out of which one person Sachin, who is a resident of Badalpur, has been taken into custody at Gautam Budh Nagar police station and an illegal pistol has been recovered from him."
Deepak Bhuker, SP Hapur was quoted earlier on Thursday evening, by ANI, as saying that one person has been apprehended and is being presently questioned. The purported weapon has also been recovered from him.
'Future Very Dangerous for You': Rashtriya Hindu Dal Warns Owaisi
Hindu group Rashtriya Hindu Dal will (RHD), on their part, said in a statement on Friday that it will provide legal help to those who attacked Owaisi.
In a series of tweets, RDH said:
"Rashtriya Hindu Dal will give legal aid to Sachin and Shubham who attacked Owaisi's car. We have hired two top Supreme Court advocates. If our former president Kamlesh Tiwari ji had got this security that Owaisi has got, he would have been among us today."
The group also warned Owaisi to "stop spewing venom" against Hindus or the "Gose supporters" will to continue to give the same reults.
"This is a chance to improve, take this warning seriously," they further added.
Separately, Roshan Pandey said in a video statement, "I salute Sachin bhai and Shubham bhai for sending across a message that we properly know how to answer those who insult and spew venom against our religion."
(With inputs from ANI.)
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