Bulldozer action begins against Nagpur violence accused Fahim Khan

Maharashtra: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started demolishing the two-storey bungalow of Fahim Khan, the suspected mastermind of the recent Nagpur riots. This is after Khan ignored a 24-hour civic deadline to demolish the illegal building. The demolition is the civic administration's first act of demolition against any riot suspect property.

Encroachment and Illicit construction

Khan's family members have reportedly encroached upon certain Municipal Corporation property, which led the NMC to take action. The bungalow at Sanjay Bagh Colony was discovered to be violating the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, after an NMC raid on March 20. 

Bulldozer action begins against Nagpur violence accused Fahim Khan.
Parts of his house declared ‘unauthorised construction’ pic.twitter.com/K6BAsJnFoL

— Padmaja Joshi (@PadmajaJoshi) March 24, 2025

Riot-associated properties demolished

Earlier during the day, the Nagpur police sealed two shops belonging to Khan's Minority Democratic Party (MDP), which were used by rioters, it is alleged. This is in keeping with the overall crack-down on properties owned by rioters.

Aftermath of the riots

The demolitions were two days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had declared that "bulldozers will run if the law allows." The riots, which broke out over the controversy surrounding Aurangzeb's grave, injured 40 and killed one. Curfew was lifted on Sunday from riot-affected areas after a near-week-long disturbance.