Trouble mounts for Irfan Solanki as 2 eyewitnesses of arson case come forward
Two eyewitnesses have come forward in the case against incarcerated Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki, alleging that they saw him setting a house on fire in Kanpur.
KANPUR In a major development that could further increase legal troubles for incarcerated Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki, two men, who allegedly saw the legislator setting a house ablaze in Kanpur’s Defence Colony in November 2022, have come forward.
Irfan Solanki (HT File)
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On Thursday, both the eyewitnesses recorded their statement under 161 of CrPC in connection with the arson case. The witnesses have said that they were passing by the posh locality when they saw Solanki and his men setting the house of one Nazir Fatima, a widow, and her daughter Baby Naaz on fire in an alleged bid to grab their land.
Irfan and Rizwan, according to the witnesses, had a plastic filled with some liquid in their hands. The two were allegedly sprinkling the (supposedly) inflammable liquid to increase the intensity of the fire. One of the two witnesses even claimed that he knows Irfan and his brother personally as he would often visit the MLA’s house. Both the eyewitnesses are likely to be produced before the magistrate in the local court on Friday.
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So far, 14 eyewitnesses, including the complainant, have given their testimonies in the case. Along with Solanki, the eyewitnesses have also identified MLA’s brother Rizwan Solanki, Haji Ajjan, and a few others, who, according to them, were complicit in the crime.
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So far, 14 eyewitnesses, including the complainant, have given their testimonies in the case. Along with Solanki, the eyewitnesses have also identified MLA’s brother Rizwan Solanki, Haji Ajjan, and a few others, who, according to them, were complicit in the crime.
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Joint commissioner of police Anand Prakash Tiwari said two independent eyewitnesses have voluntarily come forward in the case. Police have recorded their statements and they would soon record their statement before the court also, he added.
Haidar Naqvi is an Assistant Editor with the Hindustan Times in Kanpur and has been with the newspaper since May 1997, after beginning his journalism career with The Times of India. Over more than three decades, he has reported on terrorism, internal security, politics, governance and public affairs, with a particular focus on the changing nature of extremist movements in India.From 2008 to 2011, Haidar was part of the Hindustan Times National Reporting Team, contributing to coverage of some of the country's most significant security stories. He was among the reporters who covered the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as they unfolded and continued reporting on the investigation that exposed the conspiracy behind them.His reporting has followed the rise and evolution of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the Indian Mujahideen and India's counter-terrorism response, alongside extensive coverage of organised crime and the underworld. He has also reported on Indian Mujahideen serial blasts, the Maoist insurgency, communal riots, parliamentary and assembly elections, and major political developments. Over the years, he has interviewed political leaders, senior police officers, intelligence officials and policymakers, while reporting from communities affected by violence, conflict and public policy.Beyond national security, Haidar has covered politics, minority affairs, governance, wildlife and human-interest stories across Central Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. A recipient of the coveted Hindustan Times' Star Award, he brings historical perspective, field experience and institutional knowledge to reporting on the intersection of security, governance and society.
