The Allahabad High Court has rejected the bail application of Tauqeer Raza Khan, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the violence that occurred in Bareilly. The court cited a significant risk that Khan might incite a particular community and disrupt public harmony if released.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal delivered the order on June 5, dismissing the bail plea submitted by Khan.
The court, in its observations, stated that it was not disputed that the applicant had persuaded several youths from the Muslim community to gather at the Islamia Inter College during a public meeting. It noted that despite provisions under the BNSS 2023, these individuals, en route to the college, were intercepted by the police. Subsequently, the situation escalated, leading to acts of arson, stone-pelting, the throwing of petrol bombs, and damage to public property, with several police personnel sustaining injuries.
The court highlighted that eyewitness accounts and video footage indicated Khan played a primary role in instigating the crowd through a provocative speech, urging them to assemble at the Islamia Inter College. Consequently, the court determined that Khan would also be held liable for the offences committed by the crowd, given his alleged role as the main conspirator.
Furthermore, the court took into consideration Khan’s extensive criminal history in similar cases. This history led the bench to conclude that there was a substantial risk of him inciting a specific community and disturbing peace and harmony if granted bail. Therefore, the court expressed its unwillingness to grant bail to the applicant.
According to the police’s account, Tauqeer Raza Khan had issued a call on September 26 for members of a particular community to gather at the Islamia Inter College in Bareilly. This directive was issued despite the existence of prohibitory orders at the time.
A crowd estimated to be between 200 and 250 people congregated and proceeded towards Shyamganj Chauraha from Maulana Azad Inter College. The group, reportedly carrying banners and raising slogans deemed provocative, reportedly paid little heed to warnings and appeals made by the police present at the scene.
The confrontation intensified when the accused individuals reportedly became aggressive and insisted on marching forward. During the ensuing conflict, police personnel alleged that bricks, stones, and acid bottles were hurled at them, and gunshots were fired from within the crowd. The First Information Report (FIR) filed in the case also stated that police officers’ clothing was torn, and two officers sustained injuries during the violence.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
