A cleric was brutally beaten to death inside a mosque in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The police have reported that three assailants entered the Mohammadi Madina Mosque, where Maulana Mohammad Mahir, aged 30, resided along with around 15 students. The attackers allegedly entered the mosque through a back gate around 2 am and fled the scene using the same route.
According to the police, some of the students who were present inside the mosque at the time the crime was committed raised an alarm around 3 am, alerting the people nearby. Subsequently, the police were informed, and a murder case was registered at the Ramganj police station.
Maulana Mahir’s family has pointed fingers at individuals who they claim were attempting to seize control of the mosque. Mohammad Amir, the deceased cleric’s brother, disclosed that Mahir had expressed concerns about certain individuals in the area who were dissatisfied with his management of the madrasa. He revealed that Mahir had been reluctant to reside in Ajmer but took charge of the institution after the passing of his mentor, Maulana Zakir Hussain, last year.
The police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder. However, the assailants allegedly took Mahir’s phone with them. Despite efforts, the identities of the attackers, who were reportedly wearing masks, remain unknown.
However, Mahir’s family has provided the police with the names of three individuals they believe could be involved in the killing. Meanwhile, investigators have recovered two sticks near the mosque, which are suspected to be the murder weapons. They are currently analysing CCTV footage from the area and have deployed a dog squad to aid in the investigation.
Maulana Mahir, who relocated to Ajmer from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, seven years ago, was laid to rest in his hometown after his body was transported back. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains in shock over the brutal and tragic demise of the cleric within the confines of the mosque he served.
