RAJKOT: The Government Railway Police on Tuesday registered a case of rioting against seven persons for their alleged involvement in demolishing the Singal Shah Pir Dargah located in the premises of the railway property, during riots in Veraval on July 26, which claimed two lives.

The 'dargah' was allegedly destroyed in the riots which broke out in Veraval over an eveteasing incident. Hanif Mohammed filed a complaint at the railway police station blaming seven people, including the president of the Veraval-Somnath Chamber of Commerce, Lilabhai Vithlani,who is also a BJP leader and a prominent leader of the Lohana community.

Hanif stated that he filed the complaint after a month, on account of the prevailing communal tension not being conducive for lodging such a plaint. The police registered a case on the basis of this complaint. Hanif claimed that he was present at the 'dargah' when a mob attacked it. He also said that the accused raised slogans,which instigated the mob to attack the shrine. He said he had to flee when the mob approached the 'dargah' armed with iron rods.

From the town hall where he took refuge, he witnessed the mob led by the accused first attacking the 'dargah', damaging the structure and then setting it ablaze. After this, they fled. Sources in the railway police said that a team was sent on Wednesday to arrest Vithlani and others, but they could not be traced.