Gorakhnath temple attack: Accused Ahmad Murtuza Abbasi charged under stringent UAPA Act

Lucknow, April 16: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has sent accused Ahmad Murtaza Abbasi to judicial custody for further interrogation in the connection to the Gorakhnath temple attack case. Further, the police have also imposed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against him.

  

 

The 29-year-old youth attacked two police constables with a sharp-edged weapon at the Gorakhnath temple gate in Gorakhpur. The two police constables had also sustained serious injuries. The assailant too was injured and admitted to a hospital. He had raised religious slogan "Allahu Akbar" while entering the temple. It should be noted that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is the head priest of the Gorakhnath temple.

 

 

Murtaza was desperate to enter the temple but was stopped by security personnel him for checking. He tried to snatch their weapons but when he failed, he drew a sharp weapon and attacked the Police personnel. After that, he approached the main gate of the temple while shouting ‘Allah-hu-Akbar’. He was later captured by other security staff and arrested.

 

Also Read: Goraknath Temple attack: Accused confesses he was angry over 'CAA, NRC, atrocities against Muslims'

Goraknath Temple attack: Accused confesses he was angry over 'CAA, NRC, atrocities against Muslims'

Reports further stated that Murtaza was produced before the court and he may be produced before a special court in the future. The UP ATS, meanwhile, has also detained 5 more persons in connection with this case who reportedly were aware of Abbasi’s every move.

 

 

Notably, during interrogation, Murtaza told the ATS that he wanted the Sharia law to be implemented in the country. Reportedly, the accused, who is an IIT graduate, knew all the methods of making bombs easily. In a confession, Gorakhnath temple attacker Ahmed Murtaza Abbasi revealed his attack on secuirty personnel outside the temple was a response to the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) by Modi government. He also stated that Muslims were being targetted and atrocities started to increase against them.