Nand Kishore Valmiki alias Kishori Lal Valmiki, the main accused in the Agra conversion controversy, was arrested near the Idgah bus station in Agra on Tuesday. He is being interrogated on his alleged role in the conversion of about 56 Muslim families to Hinduism on December 8. “His police custody will be sought,” IG (Law and Order) A. Satish Ganesh said.
Valmiki had contested the corporators’ election in Agra in 2012 on Bharatiya Janata Party ticket, Mr. Ganesh said. He had been evading arrest since December 9 after an FIR was registered at the Sadar Bazar police station in Agra on a complaint.
Ismail, the complainant, said he was a ragpicker and about 56 families of Muslims lived in their basti. About 20 days back, Nand Kishore Valmiki, who lived in the neighbouring basti, told them that he would get ration and BPL cards for them. Valmiki got the forms filled in his (Ismail’s) godown, he said.
On December 8, he had the godown cleaned and a “havan kund” made. Thereafter, a “havan” was performed by Ismail’s family members and others, who were given the idol of Goddess Kali and photographed. The complainant alleged that they were duped into converting by Valmiki with allurements of ration and BPL cards.
The IG (Law and Order) said the Agra SP had announced a reward of Rs. 5,000 on Valmiki on December 10. Later, a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. On August 14, DIG, Agra range, increased the reward amount to Rs. 12,000. Two cases related to cheating and Gangster’s Act had been registered against him some time back at the Shahganj police station, the IG said.
Meanwhile, the Kushinagar district police administration has banned the proposed sah-bhoj (community dining) of the Hindu Yuva Vahini in Dibari Bazar. The programme is reportedly aimed at the “reconversion” of some Christian families.
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