Agra: Around 60 individuals have been booked in connection with a protest outside Agra’s Jama Masjid after animal flesh was found on the mosque premises, police said on Saturday.
The protest broke out after Friday prayers, with demonstrators demanding strict action against the person who placed the flesh inside the mosque compound.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Sonam Kumar said, "A case has been registered against the man who placed the piece of meat inside the mosque. Additionally, those who created disturbance outside the Jama Masjid have been booked. Around 60 people have been named in the FIR for their involvement in the protest."

The incident reportedly took place late on Thursday night when a man identified as Nazruddin allegedly left a packet containing animal flesh at the Jama Masjid in the Mantola area. The matter came to light on Friday morning, leading to tension in the locality ahead of the weekly Friday prayers.

Police said CCTV footage showed the accused arriving on a scooty and placing the packet inside the mosque premises before leaving.

A force of more than 100 police personnel was deployed for investigation and to maintain security in the area. The recovered meat was seized and sent for forensic examination, officials said.

The scooty used in the incident was traced to a local meat shop, and questioning of the shopkeeper led to the arrest of Nazruddin, a resident of Teela Nandram, according to police.

The accused was arrested on Friday, and authorities are now probing whether he acted alone or had accomplices, the DCP said.

Additional Police Commissioner Sanjeev Tyagi said that action would be taken under the National Security Act (NSA). "We are looking into the intent behind the act and whether more people were involved," he added.

A group of people assembled outside the mosque after Friday prayers, demanding capital punishment for the accused. The situation grew tense, prompting police to use mild force to disperse the crowd, he said.

Security has since been tightened in and around the Jama Masjid, with intensified patrolling to avert any further disturbances.

Authorities have appealed to the public to maintain peace and avoid spreading or acting on rumours.

PTI