SHAMLI: Claiming an immediate threat to his life from Uttar Pradesh police, gangster Haji Firoz Khan chained himself inside his home, rigged a noose and installed CCTV cameras at multiple corners on Saturday, and posted live videos every half hour.Calling it “mere theatrics”, police said Khan has been posting such “updates” on his social media account since Wednesday to affirm his well-being amid intermittent warnings that any attempt to arrest him would lead to his “suicide”.The bizarre episode unfolded at Jhinjhana town in Shamli district after police seized 14 properties worth Rs 30 crore belonging to Khan under section 14 (1) of the Gangsters Act on Dec 25 last year as he was listed as absconding in police records. However, in one video clip, Khan — in his late 50s — claimed a court had stayed his arrest and no police action should be taken against him.SP (Shamli) NP Singh told TOI : “Firoz Khan is using online videos to obstruct police and administrative work. He has been issuing criminal threats against the official proceedings by public servants and levelling false, baseless allegations against police and administrative officials while threatening suicide.”The SP added Khan had earlier maintained his own social media cell, through which he was now making unsubstantiated allegations, but legal action against the gangster will continue despite his “online stunts”. Khan has 22 cases, including those of rape and murder, against his name across the region, Singh said.In one of the clips, Khan could purportedly be seen showing the noose tied from a ceiling fan, while claiming “he has imposed precautionary house arrest upon himself as cops intend to eliminate him in an encounter”.Police said keeping in view the social media stunt, a case was filed against Khan, his niece and another accused under BNS sections i9ncluding 218 (resistance to lawful taking of property), 226 (threat of injury to public servant).
