Shamli (Uttar Pradesh), January 8, 2026: The arrest of Haji Firoz Khan from the Jhinjhana area of Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh on January 5 has sparked a legal and political controversy. Haji Firoz Khan had posted several videos on social media claiming that the Allahabad High Court had granted a stay order on his arrest in a case under the Gangster Act. Despite this, the police arrested him on charges of threatening suicide and obstructing government work. The police say that no verified copy of the stay order was submitted and the videos were an attempt to exert pressure. Firoz Khan has various cases registered against him in the Shamli, Saharanpur, and Meerut regions.
In December 2025, his properties worth approximately Rs. 30 crore (according to the police) were attached under the Gangster Act. However, according to Firoz Khan, the total value of these properties is approximately Rs. 47 lakh, and all the properties were acquired through hard work. Following this action, Firoz Khan became active on social media and started uploading videos continuously. In these videos, he made serious allegations against the police, including claims of a conspiracy for a fake encounter and accepting bribes. In one prominent video, Firoz Khan showed the alleged High Court order and said that there was a stay on his arrest, so no action could be taken. In other videos, he threatened suicide by showing a chain around his hands, a noose, or by depicting himself as a prisoner. He said that if the police took any action, he would commit suicide and the police would be responsible. These videos were posted live at regular intervals to create a record of his safety.
Shamli Superintendent of Police N.P. Singh termed these videos misleading and said that if the stay order was valid, a certified copy should have been submitted to the police station, which was not done. The police believe that these videos were made to obstruct government action and exert pressure. On January 5, Firoz Khan was taken into custody from his home with a heavy police presence. Following his arrest, he underwent a medical examination and was presented before the court. According to police sources, the arrest is based on a newly registered case (related to the video and threats), while the original case under the Gangster Act is proceeding separately. According to a report in the Amar Ujala newspaper, ASP Sumit Shukla stated that there is a court stay on Firoz Khan’s arrest in the Gangster Act case. He was arrested and presented before the court in a case registered for circulating a video on social media threatening suicide and obstructing government work, from where he was sent to jail. Firoz’s niece, Shobi, a resident of Taprana, and Umar, a resident of Jhinjhana, are also named in this case, and police teams have been deployed to arrest them. Firoz Khan’s supporters and family members are calling this an injustice.
They claim that a court stay is clearly in place, yet the police acted arbitrarily. They believe it is a result of political pressure and are demanding his immediate release. The supporters claim that the videos were made only to ensure his safety, not with any intention of obstruction. The police, on the other hand, maintain that the legal process was followed and action was taken only after verifying the claim of a stay order. This case is reportedly linked to the Yogi government’s crime control campaign, but the issue of the stay order has raised questions about the judicial process. If the court stay is proven, the legality of the arrest could be debated. Legal experts believe that this incident highlights new challenges between the use of social media and law and order. Accused individuals are using social platforms to present their side of the story, which sometimes becomes controversial. Currently, the matter is in court, and further hearings will clarify the situation. The court will investigate the veracity of the claims made by both sides.
