In a dramatic political escalation ahead of the bulldozer action in Sambhaji Nagar, AIMIM leader Imtiyaz Jaleel openly defended corporator Mateen Patel and declared that “50 such houses” could be rebuilt if authorities continued demolition drives against Muslim leaders.
The remarks came hours before municipal authorities demolished illegal constructions linked to Mateen Patel, who has been accused by investigators of helping Nida Khan, the prime accused in the controversial Nashik “Corporate Jihad” case, hide from authorities.
‘Whole Hindustan will see’: Jaleel’s speech after demolition
Addressing a gathering in Naregaon late at night, Imtiyaz Jaleel said the value of the demolished house was insignificant and claimed the community would rebuild it again.
“There is no value of this house, we can build 50 such houses, but the whole Hindustan will see how we rebuild his house over the debris of the same house this administration has demolished,” Jaleel said during his speech.
He further stated that if “10 such houses” were demolished, “the awam” would rebuild them again.
Jaleel also claimed that Muslims in India were living in fear and alleged that states ruled by the BJP had created an “us versus them” atmosphere.
Nida Khan’s arrest, Mateen Patel and the bulldozer action:
Take three minutes and watch this video.
By now, you must know that this morning Sambhaji Nagar administration demolished house of Corporator Mateen Patel for harbouring Nida Khan, prime accused in the Nashik Corporate… pic.twitter.com/iheGviZTHa
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) May 13, 2026
“In India Muslims are not safe. Everywhere there is BJP, there is an ‘us versus them’ condition,” he said.
The AIMIM leader further urged people to stand with Mateen Patel and asserted that he would continue speaking out despite pressure and warnings from others.
“It is difficult times for us, but we will stand collectively against them,” he added.
Jaleel also claimed that the next time he visited the locality, he would come with Mateen Patel himself. According to him, Patel’s family decided to “welcome bulldozers and the administration with flowers.”
Illegal properties linked to the Matin Patel, AIMIM corporator who shielded the TCS case accused Nida Khan being bulldozed by the Maharashtra administration.
💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/0vQR93G90g
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) May 13, 2026
“They want to slap us, but we have our own style. Let the whole India see, we will rebuild the house again, no matter how many lakhs it takes,” he said.
Mother says ‘Can sacrifice 10 such houses’
During the gathering, Mateen Patel’s mother also spoke emotionally in support of her son.
“I can sacrifice 10 such houses for my son,” she said, as AIMIM supporters raised slogans and criticised the demolition drive.
The speech and the public show of solidarity have now triggered strong political reactions across Maharashtra, especially because the bulldozer action is linked to the ongoing Nashik case involving serious allegations against Nida Khan and her associates.
What are the allegations against Nida Khan and Mateen Patel?
Nida Khan is the prime accused in the Nashik “Corporate Jihad” case, which emerged after complaints by women employees linked to a corporate workplace in Nashik.
According to allegations under investigation, Nida Khan allegedly groomed a Hindu woman and attempted to indoctrinate her through sustained religious messaging.
Investigators claim she sent the woman 171 links related to Islamic teachings and allegedly pressured her to change her name to “Hania,” wear a burqa, offer namaz and follow Islamic practices.
The probe also alleges that Nida Khan, along with accused individuals including Danish and Tausif, was planning to traffic women to Malaysia.
Investigators are also examining alleged links between Nida Khan and accused persons connected to the 2025 Red Fort blast case, including Dr Shaheen, whose name surfaced during the NIA probe into the alleged “white-collar terror module.”
Authorities are additionally probing alleged connections between Nida Khan’s social media networks and international radical groups.
Police probe into Mateen Patel’s role
Investigators have alleged that Mateen Patel helped Nida Khan hide while police were searching for her. Maharashtra authorities later named him in the case.
Sources associated with the investigation have also claimed that forensic examination of Mateen Patel’s mobile phone allegedly revealed objectionable and explicit videos involving Hindu women. However, officials have not yet publicly released detailed forensic findings regarding these allegations.
The demolition carried out by the civic administration was officially described as action against illegal constructions.
However, the political messaging around the demolition has transformed the issue into a major confrontation between BJP leaders and AIMIM over allegations of radicalisation, communal politics and selective victimhood narratives.
The controversy has now become one of the most politically charged issues in Maharashtra, with BJP leaders accusing AIMIM of shielding accused persons involved in serious criminal and ideological allegations.
Meanwhile, AIMIM leaders continue to maintain that the accused are being politically targeted and that bulldozer action is being used as a tool of intimidation against Muslims.
The statements made by Imtiyaz Jaleel have also raised serious political and ethical questions, especially because the case against Nida Khan and Mateen Patel involves allegations far beyond a routine legal dispute. Investigators are probing claims related to grooming, religious indoctrination, trafficking plans, alleged links with radical networks and sheltering of an accused person evading authorities.
In such a situation, why would a senior political leader choose to publicly defend the accused instead of demanding an impartial investigation and legal accountability?
His remarks about rebuilding demolished houses and standing collectively “against them” have further intensified concerns that political messaging is being prioritised over the seriousness of the allegations being investigated by agencies.
