In a shocking incident at the Malegaon Municipal Corporation’s electricity department office, seven individuals face police action after allegedly offering namaz inside the government premises and creating chaos. Nashik rural police registered an FIR following a complaint from wireman Mahendra Raghunath Sawant, who detailed the confrontation that unfolded on February 26.
Sawant reported that while staff were diligently performing their duties, Lukman and Salim Ekka arrived with four to five companions. They demanded accounts for street lights and registers, turning aggressive when informed that lights had been dispatched by the electrical inspector for ward installations. Lukman and his group left temporarily but returned around 5 PM, insisting on praying right there in the office.
According to the complaint, Lukman declared they would pray in the electricity superintendent’s cabin and only leave with the street lights. They allegedly hurled chairs, injuring Sawant when one struck his leg. A white cloth was thrown on the floor as they prepared to pray, ignoring pleas from other employees. One person even recorded the scene on a mobile phone while issuing threats, leading to pushing and shoving that halted official work.
The police have invoked multiple sections against the seven accused, highlighting the severity of obstructing government operations. This episode raises serious questions about maintaining decorum in public offices amid rising communal sensitivities in the region. Authorities are investigating further to prevent such disruptions, ensuring smooth functioning of essential services for Malegaon residents.