India, Sept. 27 -- The city magistrate court here has issued notices to four people, including the father of Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, over alleged provocative statements following a controversy involving a BJP leader's remarks about the demolition of a mosque, officials said on Sunday.

The four have been asked to appear before the court on October 3.

Those served notices are Shahi Jama Masjid management committee president Zafar Ali, Mamlukur Rehman Barq, former BJP district president Rajesh Singhal and AIMIM leader Shakeel Ahmed.

City Magistrate Sudhir Kumar said the notices were issued on the basis of reports submitted by police from Kotwali and Nakhasa police stations, alleging that the statements made by the four coul...