Muslim volunteer’s family detained for serving food at Jantar Mantar protest
The allegations have sparked fresh controversy, although police have denied any wrongdoing.
Mohammad Junaid, a volunteer at the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, claimed Uttar Pradesh Police raided his home in Ghaziabad. He alleged that officers detained members of his family and seized personal documents while trying to locate him.
Junaid said police first took his father into custody before releasing him later the same day. He alleged that officers returned the following morning and again took his father away.
He also claimed that his sister’s father-in-law and brother-in-law were detained in Meerut. According to Junaid, police also confiscated bank passbooks and Aadhaar cards belonging to his family members.
The volunteer alleged that officers told his family they would be released only if he reported to the police station. Junaid maintained that he is not wanted in any criminal case and has committed no offence.
Junaid said he had been serving food and drinking water to protesters at Jantar Mantar since the demonstrations began. He explained that he joined the effort after noticing that many protesters were struggling in the summer heat.
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The Cockroach Janta Party strongly criticised the alleged action against its volunteer. The party said police should focus on criminals instead of targeting people involved in peaceful protest activities and promised to challenge any unlawful action in court.
However, Meerut Police rejected the allegations. Senior Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey said “no such matter has come to my notice,” while another senior officer said checks at all police stations found no record of Junaid’s relatives being detained in Meerut.
Officials from Ghaziabad Police were not immediately available for comment. The claims and the police denial have added another point of dispute during the ongoing protest movement.
The allegations and the police denial present two different versions of the same incident. Further official investigation or independent evidence will be important to establish exactly what happened.
