71-year-old woman booked for ‘offering namaz’ at Hamirpur District Magistrate’s office in UP

A 71-year-old woman has been booked for allegedly offering namaz in the portico of the District Magistrate’s office in Hamirpur on Monday. The incident gained widespread attention after a video of the act surfaced on social media and quickly went viral.

Following the video’s circulation, law enforcement authorities detained the woman. However, she was later released after her family members and residents informed the police that she was mentally unstable.

In response to the incident, seven home guards who were on duty at the District Magistrate’s office at the time were suspended for lapses in security. Officials cited negligence in maintaining proper security arrangements at the premises.

Hamirpur Superintendent of Police, Deeksha Sharma, confirmed that a case was registered against the woman on charges of trespassing. She further stated that after investigating the matter, the woman was identified, and it was established that she had a history of mental instability.

According to police sources, the video, which emerged on Monday afternoon, depicted the elderly woman covering her head and engaging in namaz. Upon swift investigation, authorities identified her as Munni, a resident of Sufiganj in Hamirpur.

Her family later revealed that she had been undergoing medical treatment for the past four years. It was also noted that her son earns a livelihood as a daily wage laborer.