The special branch of the Aurangabad city police rejected permission to MIM chief and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi, to speak at public meetings in Aurangabad; however, the organiser has approached the Bombay high court that will take a final decision on the issue on Thursday.
Former corporator Javed Qureshi from Aurangabad had filed an application with the special branch of the Aurangabad city on January 17 asking for permission to conduct public meetings, with Mr Owaisi as a guest at Roze Bag between January 31 and February 2.
“We rejected the application as Mr Qureshi has a criminal background. He was the founder of Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) local outfit in this area. He has also been booked in riots cases. Additionally, the local population of Aurangabad has an equivalent population of both communities as well as 20 per cent Dalit population,” said senior police inspector, Sopan Borse of the special branch.
“To prevent any law and order situation, we strictly denied permission to Mr Qureshi. A team from Aurangabad police also served notice to Mr Owasi under 144 (1) of the CrPC to stay out of Aurangabad city on these three days,” added Mr Borse.
Mr Owaisi later said, “The local people wanted to meet and greet me. Mr Qureshi had approached me on their behalf and asked me to be their guest. It was his idea to arrange the public meetings. The local police has refused to grant the permission. The police has also served me a notice stating I should not be going to Aura-ngabad. But the high court will decide on Thursday if the permission should be granted or not.”