Securitymen attack rival Syedna's sons in mausoleum

Mumbai, July 4 (IANS) Private security personnel assaulted the sons of self-proclaimed Dawoodi Bohra Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin when they were offering prayers at the Raudat Tahera mausoleum in south Mumbai Friday.

According to a complaint with the J.J. police station and medical reports of Sir J.J. Hospital, the trio was physically assaulted, pushed around and attacked by a blunt object when they were paying respects at the mausoleum where the 51st and 52nd former Syednas are laid to rest.

The three -- Shahzada Abdeali, Shahzada Husain and Shahzada Aziz -- also registered police complaints about the incident.

In a statement to the media, the sons said they were physically prevented by some unruly elements and members of the Burhani Guards' "Jehadi group", currently under the control of the sons of the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who passed away in January this year.

The victims sought police protection which was given. But, when they returned to the mausoleum, they faced more aggression at the hands of the Burhani Guards personnel.

Police later detained three personnel of the Burhani Guards.

Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin has filed a suit in the Bombay High Court staking claim to the post (Syedna), and to restrain the reigning Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, son of the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin from acting as the Dawoodi Bohra community head (Syedna). The suit is currently pending.

Friday's incident, coming during the holy month of Ramadan, has upset the peace-loving Dawoodi Bohra community members.