Cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan detained after Bareilly protest over ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign
Bareilly: Police on Saturday detained cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council, a day after his call for a protest in support of the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign led to clashes in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya confirmed the detention, stating that the situation was “peaceful and under control.”
The violence erupted Friday outside a mosque in the Kotwali area after Friday prayers, when a crowd carrying ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters clashed with police. Protesters were reportedly angered by the cancellation of a demonstration earlier announced by Raza, who claimed authorities had denied permission. The clashes involved stone-pelting and vandalism, resulting in over two dozen arrests.
In a video statement released later, Raza alleged he had been placed under house arrest and accused police of deliberately targeting Muslims. He expressed regret at not being able to submit a memorandum to the President of India through the district magistrate and warned that attempts to suppress the issue would only intensify protests.
District officials, however, described the violence as a “planned conspiracy” to disturb peace, pointing out that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force and permission for the march had been denied.
The ‘I Love Muhammad’ controversy, which began earlier this month in Kanpur after police booked 24 people for displaying banners with the slogan during Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, has since spread to multiple districts across Uttar Pradesh as well as to states like Uttarakhand and Karnataka. Hindu groups have objected to the banners, calling them provocative.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has also weighed in, saying that “expressing love for the Prophet is not a crime.”
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Man booked for duping 7 persons of Rs 91 lakh on promise of awarding govt works
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have registered a case against a man for allegedly duping seven persons of Rs 91 lakhs on the promise of awarding them works of different government departments, an official said on Tuesday.
The accused was identified as Satish Kadam, a resident of Nanded in Marathwada region, an official said.
A complaint was filed by Hanumant Vadje, who alleged that the accused cheated him and six others of around Rs 91 lakh by promising to give them various works of Urban Development and Social Justice Department, he said.
The fraud occurred between 2024 and 2026, with Kadam collecting money in cash and into his accounts, police said, adding he had returned some amount to them partially.
Multiple cheques issued by the accused bounced, prompting the victim to lodge a complaint at the Marine Drive police station. Based on the complaint, a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust was registered against him.
The case is under further investigation, the official said.
