Namaz controversy in Malegaon: Seven individuals booked after allegedly offering Namaz inside the municipal Electricity Department office; police investigation underway as group disputes allegations.
Namaz :Police Register Case Under BNS Provisions; Group Claims They Were Waiting for Officials
Qalam Times News Network
Malegaon | February 28, 2026
Namaz became the centre of a legal dispute in Malegaon after police registered a case against seven individuals accused of offering prayers inside a municipal office building. The incident allegedly took place on Wednesday at the Electricity Department office of the Malegaon Municipal Corporation.
According to a formal complaint filed by 43-year-old municipal employee Mahendra Raghunath Sawant, a group of men entered the office premises during working hours and later performed afternoon prayers there. In the complaint, Sawant stated that two men identified as Salim and Lukman initially arrived with several associates seeking information about streetlight installations and related civic records. He claimed they were informed that such matters were handled by the Electrical Inspector and were asked to follow up accordingly.
Police said the group returned later in the evening, around 5 pm, and announced that they would offer Namaz inside the office before leaving. Based on the complaint, Malegaon police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to use of criminal force against a public servant, public nuisance, unlawful assembly, and joint liability of members involved in an unlawful gathering.
However, individuals associated with the group have disputed the allegations. They maintained that they were called to the department office around 3 pm to discuss civic concerns. According to their version, they were made to wait for several hours without meeting the concerned official. The waiting period, they said, coincided with the time for afternoon prayers. Fearing that stepping out might lead to cancellation of the meeting, they chose to offer prayers within the premises.
Police officials confirmed that an investigation is currently underway. Authorities stated that further action will depend on the findings and statements recorded during the inquiry.
