One arrested, several booked after shopkeeper sets portion of building afire during demolition drive in Varanasi

He started shouting at the demolition team and also threatened to set himself on fire which triggered panic and chaos, police said.

Police personnel deployed along with the municipal corporation team acted swiftly and managed to bring the flames under control, preventing it from spreading further.

Police said that during investigation they found that a local resident, Farooq Khan (60), had instigated Azmat to execute the act in a planned manner and that he was being repeatedly provoked as part of a “broader conspiracy”.

Based on a complaint by sub-inspector Prakash Singh Chauhan, Khan was arrested, and Azmat and several other unidentified persons, who are currently absconding, were booked on charges of obstructing a public servant in the discharge of official duties and other related offences, Varanasi Assistant Commissioner of Police Atul Anjaan Tripathi said, adding efforts are underway to trace the others.

According to officials, before the date of demolition was fixed, repeated public announcements were made in the area, and written notices were also pasted on the buildings, directing the occupants to vacate the premises well in advance.