Small but deadly: 1-year-old 'goonda' in UP gets court notice ahead of poll

On the face of it he may seem just like any regular one-year-old who can maybe say a few words and walk a little. But if the Moradabad police are to be believed, Nazim, is a potential booth capturer and capable of intimidating voters during the bypoll that will be held in Thakurdwara in Uttar Pradesh on 13 September.

According to a Times of India report , a sub-divisional magistrate issued a summons to 28-year-old Yaseen and his baby, both residents of Usmanpur village, under a section of the Criminal Procedure Code in anticipation if them disturbing the peace and requiring them to seek a security bond to avoid arrest.

Listed as a ‘goonda’ element, the police said in the report that they anticipated that Nazim and his father could capture booths, commit a crime or intimidate voters.

Fearing the worst after being served the notice from the police, Nazim’s father went to seek a security bond of Rs 50,000, but was turned away.

““The court officer issued me a surety bond but denied the same to my son Nazim saying this was ridiculous,” Yaseen was quoted as saying in the report.

The Station House Officer of Thakurdwara and a sub-inspector of Usmanpur village had filed the report and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against the two officials along with a constable from the local police station, who is also said to have played a role in getting the toddler his first court notice.

Thankfully for Nazim, the charges against him weren’t as serious as those faced by nine-month old Musa Khan in Pakistan , but he’d do well to know, when he can understand it, that law has its eye on him.