Vinod Dixit, a Lucknow-based tourist guide along with the tourists, claimed that the accused were not aware that they were committing the crime. (File photo: Reuters)
The four were booked under section 153 of the IPC, which gives punishment for abetment with intent to incite riots.
- PTI Agra
- Last Update:26 May 2022, 16:06 IST
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Four people have been arrested for offering prayers at the Shahi Masjid in the Taj Mahal complex. The four were booked under section 153 of the IPC, which gives punishment for “incitement with intent to cause riot”. “Four tourists were arrested on Wednesday for offering prayers at the mosque in the Taj Mahal complex. Of these, three are from Hyderabad and one is from Azamgarh. A case has been registered against them under section 153 of the IPC. He has been produced in the court,” said Vikas Kumar, superintendent of police (city).
Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Agra Circle Raj Kumar Patel said there is a Supreme Court order which prohibits offering prayers inside the Taj complex on all days except Fridays. He said that even on Fridays only residents of the Tajganj area – where the tomb is located – are allowed to offer prayers between 12 noon and 2 pm. Four people were seen offering prayers at the Shahi Masjid at around 5 pm on Wednesday. Archaeological Survey officials surrounded them India and handed over to CISF and local police.
According to some people, there was no ban on offering Namaz inside the Taj Masjid till a few days ago. “Namaz is offered regularly in the Taj Mahal mosque.
But a few days ago the Archaeological Survey of India claimed that as per the order of the Supreme Court of India, offering prayers in the mosque premises is prohibited except on Fridays, said Ibrahim Zaidi, head of the Intezamiya committee at the Taj Mahal. Zaidi said that the committee has asked the ASI to give proof of prohibition in writing and also to put up a board declaring prohibition for tourists.
Vinod Dixit, a Lucknow-based tourist guide along with the tourists, claimed that the accused were not aware that they were committing the crime. “They had no idea that they could not offer namaz. He did this by mistake. He said that there was no notice board saying that it is banned.
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