PATNA: Educator Faisal Khan, better known as Khan Sir, received a major legal reprieve after a Patna district court stayed his arrest in a case alleging that he directed security guards to open fire during a violent clash outside his coaching institute earlier this month.The development came a day after the Bihar fire service issued a notice to Khan Sir over alleged fire safety violations at his coaching institute, adding another layer to the controversy surrounding the popular educator.Khan Sir’s lawyer, Arvind Kumar Mahuar, moved the court seeking anticipatory bail after police named him in an FIR related to a violent clash and alleged firing outside the Khan Global Studies coaching centre in Patna’s Kadamkuan area on the night of June 2.The court is expected to hear the anticipatory bail matter while the interim protection from arrest remains in place.Speaking outside the court, Mahuar said all relevant facts had been presented before the judge and maintained that his client had no direct involvement in the incident.The case stems from a violent confrontation that police say was linked to a rivalry between Khan Global Studies and another coaching institute. According to the complaint, a group allegedly entered the premises, vandalised property, tore down banners and posters, assaulted security personnel and triggered panic by allegedly opening fire.Following a complaint filed by Khan Global Studies, police arrested the director of a rival coaching institute along with several associates.However, the investigation took a dramatic turn after a video surfaced purportedly showing two security guards firing shots into the air during the chaos. The guards were subsequently arrested, and during questioning allegedly claimed they had acted on Khan Sir’s instructions. Based on their statements, police registered an FIR against Khan Sir and two others.The case filed at Kadamkuan police station includes charges under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as provisions of the Arms Act. Police have seized the weapons allegedly used in the incident and sent them for forensic examination.Mahuar dismissed the allegations, arguing that the FIR was aimed at tarnishing Khan Sir’s reputation. He contended that the guards may have acted in self-defence amid the attack on the institute and that there was no evidence linking the educator to any firing.The controversy has also triggered public reactions. Supporters and students of the rival coaching institute director, who remains under arrest, staged candlelight vigils in Patna on Monday, demanding his release and alleging that the case against him was fabricated.(With ANI inputs)
