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Nagpur violence: sedition among charges in 4 fresh FIRs; curfew partially lifted

While the sedition FIR names MDP leader Fahim Khan among others, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists have been booked for inciting violence.

A fire set by miscreants amid violence in Nagpur on Monday

A vehicle set on fire amid violence in Nagpur on Monday. (PTI Photo)

In addition to five FIRs registered over the Nagpur violence, the cyber police on Thursday booked four cases—one of them on sedition charges. Fahim Khan, city president of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP), and five others are the accused in the sedition case booked over social media posts.

The violence erupted on Monday following a right-wing call to remove Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb. The curfew imposed in the wake of the violence has partially been lifted from certain parts of Nagpur.

The latest FIRs were registered on charges of using clips of the violence to incite people to come to the streets.

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The charges against Khan include sedition, which comes under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 152 (endangering India’s sovereignty and spreading misinformation on social media), Lohit Matani, DCP (cyber), said. He added that Khan had edited a video of a protest against Aurangzeb’s tomb, circulated it on social media and “glorified stone-pelting on police officers” through his posts.

Khan was also named in the first FIR filed in connection with the violence. Since he is under arrest, his devices have already been seized, DCP Matani said.

Giving details about the four new FIRs, Matani said that over 50 social media profiles had been named in them. The first FIR names social media accounts that shared videos of the protest against the demand to remove Aurangzeb’ s tomb. The second was against social media accounts posting and sharing videos to incite violence. The third FIR is against social media accounts posting and sharing videos related to the violence and the fourth against accounts glorifying the violence.

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The FIRs also mention some social media accounts of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists for inciting violence, the police officer added.

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DCP Matani also said that misinformation was spread initially, leading to violence, with social media accounts from outside of the city adding fuel to the fire.

The police further said that links of over 230 social media accounts were also shared with Meta, X, and other social media platforms requesting that some content posted by them regarding the Nagpur violence be taken down.

Ravinder Kumar Singal, Commissioner of Police, said Fahim Khan was being considered one of the main accused in the Nagpur violence. “Khan was spotted at a few sensitive locations. We are checking if he was involved in any conspiracy. We are also looking into his past record.”

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Asked about allegations by some locals of Bhaldarpura and Hansapuri about police excesses during combing operations, Singal said, “This thing has happened, there are videos on record. So if they are saying so, they have all the right to say so. We are doing our work.”

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Singal said that over 80 people are in custody currently, with 11 minors identified. He clarified that there has been no death in the violence yet and that the injured are being treated at local hospitals.

As of 2 pm on Thursday, the curfew was lifted entirely from certain areas like Nandanvan and Kapil Nagar. In other areas like Lakadganj, Shantinagar and Imamwada, the restrictions will be relaxed every day from 2 pm to 4 pm, allowing residents to procure essential items. The curfew in the Kotwali, Tehsil and Ganeshpeth areas will remain in effect until further orders.

Compensation for damage

A preliminary survey conducted by the administration indicates that over 60 vehicles were vandalised—20 two-wheelers and 40 four-wheelers. Two cranes were set on fire during the violence. A construction company claimed this resulted in a loss of Rs 70 lakh.

The administration also informed that in the event of complete damage, Rs 50,000 will be provided per vehicle and Rs 10,000 in the event of partial damage.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More

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