Hashim Firozabadi speaking to ANI. (Source: Twitter/ANI)
Firozabad police Sunday arrested three people who had allegedly beaten and thrown acid on noted Urdu poet 42-year-old Hashim Firozabadi in Rasoolpur area of Firozabad district on Friday.
While his condition is stable, Hashim suffered 15 per cent burn injuries on the right side of his face and chest. “Arrested persons are Sunny Khan and his two brothers Musaif and Saif, residents of Nala locality. Police is looking for other accused,” said Additional Superintendent of Police, Firozabad, Rajesh Kumar Singh. He added that medical examination of Hashim is being done by a panel of three doctors.
It is alleged that the incident occurred when Hashim Firozabadi opposed the men, who used to tease girls passing through Nala locality. Hashim came to know about harassment when few local residents visited him. “A man came to me yesterday and said he won’t send his daughters to school as they are regularly molested by some miscreants who also make obscene phone calls to them. He was scared to go to the police and asked me to talk to miscreants. It’s a result of my attempt,” Hashim was quoted as saying by ANI.
However, station house officer, Rasoolpur police station, Virendra Kumar said that Hashim did not mention in his complaint to the police that he was attacked for that reason. “Hashim stated in his complaint that on Friday evening when he was returning home, few youths came from behind and attacked him. They (assailants) accused Hashim Firozabadi to regularly raising the local issues,” an official said.
However, the assailants escaped from the spot when local residents gathered on hearing the noise. Later, police was informed which rushed Hashim to the hospital. An FIR has been lodged against five named persons. “Investigation into the case is still on,” said Virendra Kumar.