The troubles of Maulana Tauqeer Raza, accused of instigating violence in Bareilly, may deepen further. This issue isn’t about a speech or protest, but a three-decade-old cooperative bank loan that has now ballooned to over ₹28,386, including interest. Originally from Kartauli village in Budaun district, Raza had taken ₹5,000 worth of fertiliser from the Kartauli Cooperative Society in 1990. He neither repaid the principal amount nor the interest. Now, the bank has initiated recovery proceedings to collect the dues.
Case Opened in 1997
In 1990, Maulana Tauqeer Raza took an agricultural loan of ₹5,560 from the Rasoolpur Kutti Cooperative Society to buy seeds and fertiliser. Later in 1996, the state government announced a farm loan waiver, but Raza’s account was not covered. A 1997 bank inquiry revealed that his loan was still pending. The bank issued several recovery notices, but no payment was made, allegedly due to Raza’s political clout.
Old files Reopened after the Bareilly Riots
Following the recent Bareilly unrest and Raza’s arrest and imprisonment, the district cooperative bank began re-examining old files. The probe revealed an outstanding amount of ₹21,940 in interest and ₹5,560 principal, totalling ₹28,386. The bank is now planning to impose an additional 2% interest on the overdue sum.
Recovery notice to be pasted on Bareilly house; property may be seized
Hari Babu Bharti, Chief Executive Officer of the District Cooperative Bank, stated that a team was dispatched on Thursday to paste a recovery notice at Raza’s Bareilly residence. He warned that if the payment isn’t made within the stipulated period, the property will be seized. The bank, he said, is pursuing a strict recovery policy against all defaulters.
Most Budaun Properties Already Sold
The investigation also found that Raza has already sold most of his properties in Budaun. The bank is now focusing on his assets in Bareilly and other districts. CEO Bharti said that attachment proceedings will follow wherever assets are found.
Recovery Drive Intensifies
The bank’s team has re-examined old files and sent a report to the state headquarters. Sources claim the case has reached the government level, and the bank has been directed to prioritise the recovery process. Authorities in Budaun and Bareilly have also been instructed to assist.
Read More: Bareilly Violence: Crackdown on Tauqeer Raza’s Relatives, CM Yogi’s Bulldozer in Action Again
Timeline of Events
1990: Maulana Tauqeer Raza took a ₹5,560 agricultural loan.
1996: The loan waiver was announced but he was not included.
1997: Bank inquiry confirmed the loan was still unpaid.
2025: The amount has grown to ₹28,386 with interest.
Now: A recovery notice has been sent to his Bareilly home for payment.
