Chhatarpur Stone Pelting: Who are Haji Shahzad & brothers, and why did the MP Govt demolish their multi-crore mansion?

In a swift and decisive move, the Madhya Pradesh government demolished a three-story mansion worth Rs 20 crore in Chhatarpur within 24 hours of a stone-pelting incident at the Kotwali police station. The sprawling property, covering 20,000 square feet, was razed to the ground on August 22, 2024, along with three luxury cars—Fortuner, Safari, and Scorpio—found within the premises. The demolition raises significant questions about the authorities’ inaction over the past five years, during which this unauthorised mansion was constructed. The answer seems to lie in the considerable influence wielded by the mansion’s owners: Haji Shahzad, Azad, Fayyaz, and Imtiaz. The four brothers are well-known in Chhatarpur for their powerful hold over the city’s business landscape, where no commercial activity is said to occur without their approval. Background of the Incident The stone-pelting incident, which occurred on August 21, 2024, at the Kotwali police station, has been attributed to the instigation by Shahzad and his brothers. The police, in their FIR, have named the brothers as the primary accused, alleging that they incited a crowd to attack the police station. The violence reportedly erupted when the brothers, along with 150 others, arrived at the police station to submit a memorandum protesting against comments made by Ramgiri Maharaj of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, about Prophet Mohammad. According to police reports, the crowd was armed with sticks, stones, and iron rods and began shouting slogans upon reaching the station. Despite attempts by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), City Superintendent of Police (CSP), and Town Inspector (TI) to engage in dialogue, tensions escalated, leading to the stone-pelting incident. Many police personnel, including TI Arvind Kujur, were injured, with reports suggesting that someone in the crowd even attacked Kujur with a knife. Government’s Response In the aftermath of the incident, the government acted swiftly, targeting the mansion owned by the accused brothers. The property, located in the Naya Mohalla Mastan Shah Colony, had been under construction for five years. Despite its massive scale and the installation of solar panels throughout the building, the construction had proceeded without any official permission. Government officials justified the demolition on these grounds, declaring the building illegal. On the morning of August 22, a large contingent of government officials, including inspectors from various police stations, revenue officers, municipal authorities, and medical teams, arrived at the mansion. They were accompanied by four bulldozers and JCB machines, which began the demolition process around 11:30 AM under tight security. The demolition continued non-stop until evening, with the luxury vehicles inside the mansion being crushed into scrap, and other items, including a Bullet motorcycle and two rifles, being seized. छतरपुर– सिटी कोतवाली थाने में एक समुदाय विशेष द्वारा प्रदर्शन किया जा रहा था। इसी दौरान कुछ उपद्रवियों ने पुलिस पर पथराव किया। घटना में शामिल 50 नामजद उपद्रवी व 100 से अधिक अन्य के खिलाफ गंभीर धाराओ में अपराध पंजीबद्व किया गया है। जिले में शांति व्यवस्था कायम है। pic.twitter.com/amzrME62ZB — SP Chhatarpur (@SpChhatarpur) August 21, 2024 Brothers’ Influence and Alleged Misdeeds Shahzad and his brothers are well-entrenched in Chhatarpur’s political and business spheres. The eldest brother, Azad Ali, serves as a municipal councillor, while Shahzad was a former vice president of the district Congress. The other two brothers were involved in various businesses, including land dealings, sand mining, old tyre trading, and oil, with an alleged monopoly over these industries. Locals have also pointed to Shahzad’s role as an arbiter of disputes within the community, where he is said to have conducted informal courts to settle property and family disagreements, often charging fees for his services. Shahzad also held the presidency of the Muslim Anjuman Islamia Committee until he lost the last election to Javed. Despite their powerful connections, the sudden and comprehensive demolition of their mansion by the government has sent a strong message. However, the fact that such a large-scale illegal construction went unnoticed for five years raises questions about the local authorities’ role during that period. Attempts to contact Chhatarpur Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) Madhuri Sharma for an explanation have been unsuccessful. Political and Social Reactions The demolition has sparked a range of reactions. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi condemned the government’s actions, describing it as another example of the BJP’s alleged hatred against Muslims. He announced his intention to take the matter to the Supreme Court. On the other hand, BJP state president and Khajuraho MP VD Sharma supported the government’s actions, stating that such criminals would not be allowed to operate in Chhatarpur, vowing to eliminate them entirely. The whereabouts of Shahzad and his brothers remain unknown as they, along with their families, have gone into hiding. The police are actively searching for them but have yet to locate any of them. Their mansion, now reduced to rubble, stands as a stark reminder of their once-significant influence in the city. Aftermath and Ongoing Investigations Following the demolition, the police continued their operations in Chhatarpur, detaining over 30 individuals involved in the stone-pelting incident. On August 23, 2024, the police escorted 20 of the accused to court under heavy security. The accused, while being taken to court, reportedly chanted slogans acknowledging their wrongdoing and expressing respect for the police. The situation in Chhatarpur remains tense as the search for Shahzad and his brothers continues. The government’s response, both in terms of the demolition and the ongoing police actions, has been swift and resolute, signalling a zero-tolerance approach to such incidents in the state.