Dargah custodian accuses mob of 2,000 of storming Kanpur shrine with death threats

A serious dispute has erupted at the Dargah Sharif in Akbarpur, Kanpur Dehat, where the custodian has accused opponents of storming the shrine with a mob of nearly 2,000 people. The Sajjadanashin, Sarvarkar, and Gaddinshin of the dargah have filed a complaint with the Superintendent of Police alleging that the crowd barged into the premises, hurled abuses, incited violence, and issued life-threatening warnings.

The controversy revolves around the Dargah Sharif Hazrat Syed Saman Ali Shah Malang Madari Rahmatullah Aleh located at Bara Bada Takia in Akbarpur. According to the complainant, a legal case bearing number 57/23 is pending in the court of the Additional Civil Judge Senior Division Second, Kanpur Dehat. Despite a court order prohibiting religious activities at the shrine premises, the opponents allegedly continue to visit the dargah regularly and create disputes.

The complaint states that on 25 May 2026, the opponents had submitted a written agreement at the local police station promising not to interfere with the dargah. However, on 26 August around 5:30 pm, a crowd of approximately 2,000 people, including named individuals and many unidentified persons, gathered at the shrine. The mob allegedly behaved inappropriately with the Sajjadanashin and incited people to kill him, creating a tense atmosphere. The complainant claims he barely managed to escape with his life.

Referring to past conflicts, the complainant mentioned previous attack attempts on himself and the murder of the dargah's former Sajjadanashin. He has demanded that the police register an FIR against the accused and provide security to protect his life and property. The matter has now escalated to require immediate police intervention to prevent further violence at the religious site.