Golconda: FIR against 24 for praying at Qutb Shahi mosque

Hyderabad: A controversy is brewing over an FIR filed by the police against 24 persons who offered prayers on Thursday at the Qutb Shahi mosque in Alijahpur of Golconda, where they had been summoned from Golconda and surrounding areas through a call on social media. 

“As per Wakf records, about 2,500 square yards of land belongs to the mosque and the revenue authorities admitted the fact. We offered prayers within the mosque structure,” said Ilyas Shamshi, one of those booked for offering prayers.

The FIR is based on a complaint filed by sub-inspector R. Kotesh of Golconda police station, who stated that at around 1.30 pm on Thursday, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) legislator Kauser Mohiuddin and MLA Mohammed Saleem were present at the site. 

“They requested revenue officials and police to allow them to offer prayers, but were not granted permission. However, their followers forcibly rushed inside the site despite being prevented, and 40 to 50 persons offered prayers for five minutes and left the place,” the complaint stated. The police identified 24 persons and named them in the FIR. 

Saleem clarified that he had gone to the site to inspect the mosque and Wakf land in the presence of revenue officials. 

“Revenue authorities said it is a fact that a mosque exists at the site. I will take up the issue with (Chief Minister) K. Chandrasekhar Rao and ensure the case is withdrawn,” he told the media. 

On the other hand, Golconda Inspector Mohd Munawar said that senior police officials told the local MLA and corporators that they would not allow anyone into the disputed site, including the mosque, until a joint survey by the revenue officials and Wakf board team was complete.

"The revenue officials told us they had to conduct a survey before deciding the extent of Wakf land. As we were not authorised to hand over the land to anyone, we asked people not go to the spot. They did not follow our orders," he said.