Friday, February 4 2005 16:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Enraged over arrest of Imam (head priest) of a mosque near the Patna High Court, angry people of the minority community today (Feb 4, 2005) gheraoed Kotwali police station and blocked the busy Bailey Road demanding his immediate release.

Soon after the Patna High Court took serious exception to the playing of a loudspeaker at a mosque near the court, the police went to the mosque and picked up the Imam and three others after the Friday prayers.

The people initially objected to the police action, then assembled at the Kotwali police station and sat on a dharna on the busy Bailey road.

Police then took the Imam and others to the High Court.

Taking suo motu notice of playing of loudspeaker at the mosque, adjacent to the court, Justice R S Garg summoned the Patna district authorities, including District Magistrate and senior police superintendent to reply to a show cause with regard to noise pollution during the court order.