Nagpur Violence: Irfan Ansari's Death Classified as Murder; Two Arrested in Connection

Nagpur: Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder of Irfan Ansari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during the violence that erupted in the city on March 17. Irfan, 38, died on Sunday, five days after being severely beaten by a mob during the unrest.

An inspector from the Tehsil police station confirmed the arrests of the two suspects, Santosh Gaur and another individual named Ansari. Both are currently in judicial custody. Initially, the police had registered an FIR regarding the attack, but after Irfan’s death, the charges were upgraded to murder.

Irfan's Tragic Death

Irfan’s brother, Imran Ansari, shared that on the night of the violence, Irfan had left home to catch a train to Itarsi for work. He had taken an auto-rickshaw to the railway station but was dropped off at CA Road due to security concerns. As he continued on foot, Irfan was confronted by an angry mob. He was brutally attacked, sustaining severe head injuries, and was left unconscious on the street.

Police later found Irfan and rushed him to a hospital, where he was placed in the ICU. Imran stated that his brother briefly regained consciousness and described the attack before his condition worsened. Despite efforts from medical staff, Irfan succumbed to his injuries. Irfan was the sole breadwinner for his family, frequently traveling to Itarsi for work, and his sudden death has left his wife and daughter devastated.

Background of the Nagpur Violence

The violence erupted on March 17 following rumors that a holy book had been desecrated during a protest by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The protest was demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad. As tensions escalated, parts of Nagpur witnessed widespread rioting, including stone-pelting and mob attacks.