Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, accused in the Bareilly violence, is currently in jail. Meanwhile, the district administration and police have also initiated action against his close aides — former IMC spokesperson Dr Nafees and former district president Nadeem Khan. On Monday (29 September), the municipal corporation sealed Dr Nafees’s market located at Novelty Chauraha. Prior to the violence, Nafees had threatened to chop off policemen’s hands and strip them of their uniforms. The market, situated near Pahalwan Sahib’s shrine at Novelty Chauraha, has already been under dispute. Built over a drain, the matter is pending in court with a stay order in place.
36 Shops and IMC Office Sealed
This market at Novelty Chauraha includes 36 shops and the office of Maulana Tauqeer Raza’s party, IMC (Ittehad-e-Millat Council), located on the second floor. Along with the shops, the IMC office was also sealed. Dr Nafees is considered a close aide of Tauqeer. Claiming himself to be the mutawalli (caretaker) of Waqf property, he had been collecting rent from tenants.
Allegations of Waqf Property Sale and Purchase
Dr Nafees has also faced allegations of selling and purchasing Waqf Board property. The sale of shops built on Waqf land near Naumahalla Mosque had once caused a major uproar. However, the controversy was suppressed under pressure. Now, his inflammatory statements and threats are bringing him consequences.
Video of Threats to Chop Hands
Nafees had threatened the Kila police inspector with chopping off his hands and stripping him of his uniform if he removed posters bearing “I Love Muhammad.” A video of the incident went viral. In the video, he was seen saying that he told the inspector, “If you touch the banner, I will cut off your hands. Even your uniform won’t be spared.” After the video went viral, an FIR was registered against him at the Kila police station.
