Mumbai: Controversial Cleric Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari Detained In Hate Speech Case; Tells Supporters ‘I’m Not A Criminal.. Do Not Disrupt Law & Order'

Islamic cleric Mufti Salman Azhari, who was booked by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for delivering hate speech in Gujarat’s Junagadh on Wednesday night, was detained by the police on Sunday afternoon from his Ghatkopar residence.

Even though the event happened on Wednesday night, the video of the event started spreading on social media platforms starting Saturday morning. Soon after, the Junagadh B Division police station in Gujarat filed a case against Azhari and two organizers of the event under sections 153B (promoting enmity between different religious groups) and 502 (2) (making statements conducive to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.

On the same day, Superintendent of Police (Gujarat) Harshad Mehta said the two organisers of the event – identified as Mohammad Yousuf Malek and Azim Habib Odedara were arrested. During their interrogation, the duo said they acquired police permission to conduct the event and the topic of discussion of the event was that Azhari would speak about religion and talk about de-addiction.

On the same day, Superintendent of Police (Gujarat) Harshad Mehta said the two organisers of the event – identified as Mohammad Yousuf Malek and Azim Habib Odedara were arrested. During their interrogation, the duo said they acquired police permission to conduct the event and the topic of discussion of the event was that Azhari would speak about religion and talk about de-addiction.

Watch Azhari's 'inflammatory' speech here:

Meanwhile, followers of Azhari started to gather outside the Ghatkopar police station to extend their support. Additional forces were deployed outside Ghatkopar police station to maintain the crowd and to avoid any untoward incidents by disrupting the law and order.