A 30-year-old cleric from Bihar’s Kishanganj district was traveling to Bareilly from Bihar when he was allegedly killed after being assaulted and thrown from a moving train near Bareilly railway station on April 26. The authorities described the incident as an accident, but the families allege a different narrative, claiming that he was beaten by an unidentified fellow passenger on his way over a brawl.
“We know from a phone call that he had an altercation with a passenger, he was asking for help, but no one helped him,” referring to the last conversation with Raza, his brother-in-law, Shamim said on speaking to FoEJ Media.
In the last conversation with his wife Tabassum, Raza said, “Tabassum, someone is grabbing me and forcing me—they are hitting me.” The recording of the conversation has been accessed by FoEJ Media.
The family of Raza allegedly was on FaceTime with him when the assault occurred. The family said that Maulana was assaulted by a mob who incited other passengers by framing him as a “thief.”
“He was being dragged by the collar. I couldn’t see his full face because the phone was pointed toward himself, not at the people around him.” Tabassum said.
Raza, the son of Abul Hussain, served as an imam and madrasa teacher in Siwan. He had traveled to Bareilly to attend the annual Urs of Tajusharia and was returning home by train when the incident took place.
Statement of the Police
Following the incident, Bihar Police issued an official statement saying, “On April 27, 2026, at 7:25 AM, information was received by the control room from a railway keyman regarding a man’s body lying near the railway line in the Palpur Crossing area, Cantt Police Station, Bareilly.” Upon receiving the information, the Cantt Police arrived at the scene, where the deceased was identified as Tauseef Raza, son of Abdul Hussain, a resident of Kishanganj, Bihar.”
“The family members and a local contractor were contacted through the deceased’s mobile phone. Following the completion of the inquest (panchnama) proceedings, a post-mortem was conducted, after which the body was handed over to the relatives,” the police said.
“Upon their arrival from Kishanganj, the family initially believed the incident to be an accident involving a fall from the train. However, on April 30, 2026, the relatives expressed suspicions that the deceased may have been assaulted while on the train. The police have held discussions with the family regarding this matter and have informed them that necessary legal action will be taken upon receipt of a formal written complaint (tehrir),” the police added.
