Bulldozer raj only? ‘I love Muhammed’ accused’s property razed down
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Bareilly/UP: Authorities in UP’s Bareilly razed down a banquet hall owned by a Muslim man arrested over the “I Love Muhammed” conflict. The banquet hall belongs to Dr Nafees Ahmed, a friend of cleric Tauqeer Raza.
This happened even after a Supreme Court order against bulldozer justice and the CJI himself reiterated in a foreign event that India’s legal system is governed by the Rule of Law and not the rule of bulldozers.
The hall, named Raja Palace, was demolished on Saturday morning in the presence of a heavy police force, claiming illegal construction. Officials claimed that the establishment was demolished over violations of building norms, Times of India reported.
Speaking to The Indian Express, DIG (Barielly Range) Ajay Kumar Sahni claimed that the “I Love Muhammad” posters were never an issue, but the crowd taking law into their own hands. The crowd pelted stones at the police, which made them act, the officer claimed.
Meanwhile, in Faik Enclave, authorities sealed a house where Maulana Tauqeer Raza was allegedly sheltered during the violence, according to The Times of India.
The Municipal Corporation further conducted an anti-encroachment drive in the Sailani area, demolishing parts of houses and shops in the name of unauthorised extensions. This was done in the presence of the Municipal Commissioner.
It was on September 26 that a gathering of more than 2000 Muslims outside a mosque turned violent. Police claim that stones were pelted at them, injuring some of the personnel.
At the end of September, the Bareilly authorities have identified eight allegedly illegal properties linked to associates of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan for action, PTI reported.
Teams from the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) and district administration carried out a joint drive in Faiq Enclave, Jagatpur, and the old city areas. The structures are alleged to have been built without approved maps, with some encroaching on government and ceiling land, authorities claimed.