Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh – The death of Maulana Tousif Raza Mazhari, a 30-year-old cleric from Bihar, found dead on railway tracks near Bareilly on April 26, has become a subject of intense scrutiny, with his family strongly disputing the initial police assessment of an accidental fall from a train. The family alleges that Mazhari was assaulted and thrown from a moving train, with his wife claiming she witnessed parts of the incident unfold during a distressing video call.
According to reports, Mazhari, an imam and madrasa teacher from Kishanganj district in Bihar, had travelled to Bareilly to attend the Urs of Tajusharia. While returning to Siwan by train on the night of April 26, he called his wife, Tabassum Khatoon, sounding panicked. He informed her that he was being beaten by some passengers and accused of theft. His wife recounted that during the video call, she saw him being grabbed and slapped, and heard him plead for help while other passengers remained passive.
The family has rejected the railway authorities’ initial claim that Mazhari’s death was an accident. They point to the nature of his injuries, as revealed by the post-mortem examination, which included five injuries on his face, shoulder, and chest, a fractured skull, and broken ribs. The autopsy report stated the cause of death as haemorrhagic shock and coma. The family argues that these injuries are inconsistent with a fall from a moving train and are indicative of a violent assault. Furthermore, his personal belongings and mobile phone were found with his body, suggesting that robbery was not the motive.
The emergence of an audio recording of Mazhari’s last call to his wife, in which he could be heard describing the assault, has added weight to the family’s allegations. Political leaders and community members have echoed the family’s concerns, demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident. Several opposition lawmakers have called for accountability, describing the event as a documented assault and a potential hate crime, citing a broader pattern of targeted violence against minorities.
Bareilly police, who initially treated the death as an accident, have stated that they are now investigating the case afresh following the family’s allegations and the audio recording. They have assured the family that an FIR will be lodged and that legal action will be taken upon receipt of a formal complaint. The investigation is expected to include a review of CCTV footage and statements from potential witnesses to determine the exact sequence of events leading to Mazhari’s death.
The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of individuals, particularly minority community members, traveling on trains. Calls for swift and transparent justice for Maulana Tousif Raza Mazhari have grown louder as authorities work to piece together the events of that night.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
