“Offering house” as bounty on Nupur Sharma’s head: Ajmer Dargah cleric arrested

A cleric of the Ajmer Dargah, who had on camera allegedly offered his house to anyone who "beheads" now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her offensive remark against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), has been arrested, Rajasthan State Police said today (July 6, 2022).

The Ajmer police registered an FIR against Khadim Salman Chisti on Monday night, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"Salman Chisti was arrested yesterday. He is a history-sheeter at the Dargah Police Station," PTI reported quoting a police official.

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Man in India’s Udaipur murdered over post supporting Nupur Sharma

In the video, the cleric is purportedly seen and heard announcing that he would "gift his house to anyone who brings Sharma's head" to him. Chishti is also allegedly heard saying he would "shoot her dead" for insulting the Prophet (PBUH).

"You have to give a reply to all Muslim countries. I am saying this from Ajmer, Rajasthan, and this message is from Huzur Khwaja Baba ka darbar," he purportedly says in the video, referring to the Sufi shrine that is revered equally by Muslims and Hindus and attracts millions of visitors.

Last week, four people were arrested in connection with another provocative speech allegedly delivered at the main gate of the Ajmer Dargah on June 17.

Though that video was in circulation on social media earlier, the arrests were made following the killing of an Udaipur-based tailor Kanhaiya Lal by two men who said they were avenging the insult to Islam. The duo were later arrested.

In all, five people have been arrested in connection with the tailor's murder case which is being probed by India's elite counter-terror body National Investigation Agency.