fire in the plywood factory of Congress leader Faisal Khan Lala on Friday afternoon has snowballed into a political row. While Lala alleged that the fire was set off at the behest of Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, district magistrate Rakesh Kumar Singh claimed that the Congress leader himself was responsible. The Civil Lines police station has registered an FIR against Lala for defaming Azam Khan, a cabinet minister.

On Saturday, police registered an FIR against Lala for uploading a video on social networking sites in which he levelled allegations against Azam Khan and administrative officials. The matter also drew the attention of state's director general of police Javeed Ahmad and governor Ram Naik.

Speaking with TOI, SHO, Civil Lines police station, Ajay Kumar, said, "In the complaint by Ajeetpur resident Asif, we have registered an FIR against Lala under section 500 (Punishment for Defamation ) and section 504 ( intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the IPC for uploading the video over social networking sites and using the defamatory language against Azam Khan."

Faisal Lala alleged, "Nearly half a dozen officials along with a massive police force entered the factory premises at Bareilly gate and tried to set it afire when I was not present.