BDA Targets Tauqeer Raza’s Network, Seals Hotels and Lawns in Bareilly

Authorities in Bareilly have zeroed in on eight illegal properties tied to associates of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, marking them for demolition, officials revealed on Tuesday. The Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) and district administration conducted a sweeping operation in Faiq Enclave, Jagatpur, and old city areas, targeting structures built without approved plans, some encroaching on government and ceiling land.

Police sources allege Faiq Enclave has become a notorious hideout for criminals. Earlier, a property linked to Saddam, brother-in-law of gangster Atiq Ahmad, was sealed. Now, Tauqeer’s aides, including Farhat and coloniser Mohammad Arif, are under scrutiny for similar illicit activities. BDA officials confirmed Arif’s group encroached on public roads and government land, leading to the sealing of properties like Skylark Hotel, Fahm Lawn, and Flora Garden on Sunday for unauthorized construction.

“No illegal construction on government land will be tolerated,” declared BDA Vice-Chairman Dr. Manikandan A, promising strict enforcement. The Bareilly Municipal Corporation also flagged several shops, including those atop Pahalwan Sahab Dargah, for demolition due to illegal setups. An FIR against Arif for land and road encroachment is in the works.

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The administration is intensifying its focus on Tauqeer’s network, suspected of funding and orchestrating unlawful activities disguised as community initiatives. A final call on the demolitions is slated for later today, overseen by the District Magistrate, SSP Anurag Arya, BDA vice-chairman, and municipal commissioner.

The crackdown follows violent clashes on September 26, when over 2,000 people gathered outside a mosque in Kotwali after Friday prayers, sparked by the cancellation of a protest over the ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster controversy led by Tauqeer. The unrest saw stone-pelting and injuries to police, prompting 10 FIRs against 180 named and 2,500 unnamed individuals, with Khan, his aides, and over 60 others arrested.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has vowed tough action against rioters, while internet services remain suspended in Bareilly to curb inflammatory content. The city braces for further developments as authorities tighten the noose on illegal activities.

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