The Allahabad High Court has rejected the bail plea of Tauqeer Raza, who has been alleged as the “mastermind” of the Bareilly violence case. The court said that there is risk that Raza can once again disturb harmony and incite a particular community.
In an order issued on June 5, Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal denied bail to Khan. “Considering the entire facts and circumstances of the case and upon perusal of records, it is not in dispute that the applicant persuaded several youth of the Muslim community in a public meeting to assemble at the Islamia Inter College.
“Despite the invocation of Section 163 BNSS 2023, while proceeding towards the Islamia Inter College, they were stopped by the police; then they became involved in arson and started pelting stones, throwing petrol bombs, and destroying the public property, including causing injuries to several police personnel,” the court highlighted.
The court further said that the eyewitness and the video clip show that Khan was the main person who, through proactive speech, persuaded people to gather at the Ismaila Inter College.
“Therefore, for the offense committed by the crowd, the applicant will also be liable, being the main conspirator for the offenses,” the court highlighted.
“Considering the applicant’s extensive criminal history in similar cases, there is a significant risk that, if released, he may once again incite a particular community and disturb peace and harmony. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the applicant,” the court said.
According to the police, Khan delivered a speech on September 26 and called members of a particular community to assemble at the Islamiya Inter College in Bareilly. It further said that despite prohibitory orders being imposed, as many as 200 people gathered at Maulana Azad Inter College and proceeded towards Shyamganj Chauraha.
The crowd with boards and slogans did not pay heed to warnings made by police personnel at the spot. The situation snowballed when the accused persons became aggressive and marched ahead.
It further reported that brickbats, stones, and acid bottles were hurled at the police during the confrontation, and gunshots were fired from the crowd.
Additionally, the FIR stated that the clothes of police personnel were torn and two officers sustained injuries.
