Aurangzeb tomb row: Did rioters molest women police officer during Nagpur violence?

Nagpur witnessed a night of chaos earlier this week as violent clashes erupted over the demand to demolish Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb

Amid the mayhem, a female police officer became a victim of assault, with the police’s FIR stating that rioters attempted to disrobe her. The report also mentions that the mob then made obscene gestures toward other female officers before moving ahead.

The horrifying incident unfolded as security forces struggled to control a mob of over 1,000 people, who went on a rampage, pelting stones, vandalising shops, and torching vehicles, creating a scene of terror.

As tensions flared, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in sensitive areas, bringing life to a standstill. Here’s a detailed look at the current situation.

Women officers assaulted by Nagpur rioters

As the violence escalated in Nagpur, female police officers who were trying to restore order became prime targets for the enraged mob.

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According to an ANI report citing the FIR registered at Ganeshpeth Police Station, the accused not only misbehaved with an officer but also touched her uniform and body while making obscene gestures.

The officer was pinned down in a narrow lane in Bhaldarpura by stone pelters, her uniform torn in the scuffle. While the officer was groped, she managed to fend off a full-scale assault, The Times of India reports. Another officer of the RCP squad also faced harassment during the riots, it added.

ACP Anita More was also attacked with stones as she found herself cornered in a bylane, surrounded by violent rioters. Several female officers are also reported to be injured by stone pelting.

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Aurangzeb tomb row: How Mughal king’s final resting place has led to violent clashes in Nagpur

According to TOI, a single FIR at Ganeshpeth Police Station has booked over 650 rioters under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932, the Public Property Damage Prevention Act, 1984, the Maharashtra Police Act 1951, and other relevant laws.

Police sources confirmed that 51 activists from a minority democratic party were also named in the case.

The clashes left around 70 people injured, with nearly half of them being police officers. Among the injured were four DCPs, one of whom was attacked with an axe by a 15-year-old boy.

So far, nearly 60 to 65 rioters have been arrested, while another 17 individuals have been detained, India Today reported.

What triggered the violent clashes?

The violence in Nagpur erupted after rumours spread that a holy book belonging to the Muslim community had been burned during an agitation by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal at Shivaji Putla Square near Mahal Gate.

According to an official police order, around 200 to 250 members of these right-wing groups had gathered on March 17, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad.

As per reports, the recent release of the film Chhaava, which portrays Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s execution at the hands of Aurangzeb, reportedly reignited anger against the Mughal ruler.

During the protest, the mob allegedly burned effigies of Aurangzeb and a religious chadar—an act that inflamed tensions with the opposing community.

By evening, the situation spiralled out of control. Nearly 1,000 people took to the streets in retaliation, resorting to large-scale stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson. Multiple vehicles, police vehicles, traffic control booths, and houses were damaged as the violence spread, severely disrupting law and order.

VIDEO | Visuals from Nagpur where violence erupted on Monday as stones were hurled at police. The city saw several incidents of stone-pelting and arson.

(Source: Third Party)#NagpurViolence pic.twitter.com/sr37c1dxxE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 17, 2025

An eyewitness from Hansapuri described the mayhem caused by a masked group that stormed the area.

“A team came here, their faces were hidden with scarves. They had sharp weapons, stickers, and bottles in their hands. They started the ruckus, vandalised shops, and pelted stones. They also torched vehicles,” the eyewitness said.

The situation became so volatile that authorities had no choice but to impose an indefinite curfew in sensitive areas. Restrictions were placed on movement and public gatherings to prevent further escalation.

Even 24 hours later, nearly 30 per cent of Nagpur remains under curfew, with 1,000 police personnel, riot control squads, and the state reserve police force deployed across communally sensitive zones.

According to TOI, an additional 8,000 police officers have been placed on standby as the situation in Mahal and Hansapuri remains tense.

How have officials reacted?

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, has urged people to remain calm and avoid falling for rumours.

“Everybody should maintain peace. The administration is taking all necessary measures,” he said, appealing for restraint amid the escalating tensions.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who represents Nagpur in Parliament, also called for peace in a video message posted on X. He acknowledged that religious tensions had flared up due to certain rumours.

“I assure you all that the government will take action against those who have committed mistakes or engaged in illegal activities. The chief minister has already been informed about this situation, so I request everyone not to pay attention to rumours,” Gadkari stated.

Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan condemned the violence, calling it an “unfortunate” incident. He claimed that those responsible were not locals but outsiders who came to incite unrest.

“The people involved in this violence are not from Nagpur. Some anti-social elements came from outside and created unrest,” he claimed.

However, the opposition has strongly criticised the state government, questioning the collapse of law and order.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aditya Thackeray called it a failure of the state machinery in Fadnavis’s own hometown.

“The law and order of the state has collapsed like never before. Nagpur, the home city of the CM and home minister, is facing this,” he wrote on X.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also weighed in, pointing out that Nagpur, a 300-year-old city, had never witnessed such communal violence before.

“Riot broke out in the Mahal area of Nagpur, the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister. In those 300 years of history, no riot has occurred in Nagpur. We should all ask why such a situation formed. BJP is in power in both the Centre and State. If VHP and Bajrang Dal organised a protest demanding the removal of the tomb of Aurangzeb, did the Government make no arrangements to maintain law and order?” Khera questioned.

With input from agencies