Four arrested in Lulu mall namaz video case after UP CM orders ‘strict action’

Four persons were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the video circulated online of a group of men offering namaz inside the newly opened Lulu Mall in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The arrests were made for offering prayers in an ‘unauthorised manner’ and on charges of promoting enmity between groups, according to police.

The police action came a day after UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rebuked the local administration and directed them to take “strict action against miscreants who create nuisance and try to vitiate the atmosphere, saying the venue has been turned into a “political hotbed”.

The four arrested have been identified as Lucknow residents Mohammad Rehan and Atif Khan, and Sitapur residents Mohammad Lokman and Mohammad Noman. As per police, preliminary investigation suggests that there was “no motive” behind their act.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to nab four other suspects in the case.

The viral video triggered a major controversy with a social media campaign being launched against the mall. The mall management was accused of hiring mostly members of the Muslim community from outside the state to which they responded by issuing a statement clarifying that “over 80 percent” of its staff are Hindus. The mall authorities also registered a case over the incident against unidentified persons, after the namaz video went viral.

Also watch: Lulu Mall row: Yogi Adityanath says deal with miscreants strictly

On Sunday, two people were arrested after they entered the mall and began chanting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’. Their arrest was followed by the detention of at least 15 members of a right-wing group for creating chaos while attempting to enter the shopping mall but were eventually let off with a warning.

The mall was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on July 10.