Key Accused in Haldwani Violence, Abdul Malik, Arrested by Uttarakhand Police

Uttarakhand Police announced on Saturday the arrest of Abdul Malik, identified as the “key accused” in the Haldwani violence, along with two other individuals. Malik was apprehended by a police team in Delhi following intensive search efforts spanning multiple states.

Malik stands accused of involvement in the construction of an allegedly “illegal” madrasa in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani, the demolition of which triggered violent unrest in the city on February 8. The ensuing clashes resulted in five fatalities and left 150 individuals injured, prompting the imposition of shoot-at-sight orders and a curfew by the administration.

Six police teams were deployed to track down Malik and his son Abdul Moid across various states, including Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. A lookout notice was issued against the duo on February 16, with their properties subsequently attached.

Abdul Malik, who reportedly possesses extensive land holdings in Haldwani, had previously contested Lok Sabha elections in 2004 on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket. Despite his candidacy, he lost to a Congress candidate. Malik’s legal representatives filed an anticipatory bail application earlier in the day, unaware of his arrest. They asserted that Malik was not present in Haldwani during the violence but was in Dehradun at the time.

The arrest of Abdul Malik marks a significant development in the investigation into the Haldwani violence, with authorities intensifying efforts to address the underlying causes and hold accountable those responsible for the unrest.