'I love Muhammad' controversy: UP cleric's aides receive ₹1.25cr notices
What's the story
Five associates of controversial cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan have been issued recovery notices collectively worth over ₹1.25 crore for alleged power theft at e-charging stations in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The action comes after a joint team raided the Baan Khana area last week and discovered five e-charging centers using stolen electricity. An FIR was registered, and recovery notices were issued against the accused.
Details revealed
Amount owed by each accused
The recovery notices were issued against Wasim Khan, Monish Khan, Barkaan Raza Khan, Aman Raza Khan, and Ghulam Navi. The amount owed by each is: ₹15.39 lakh, ₹22.29 lakh, ₹37.32 lakh, ₹26.92 lakh, and ₹26.57 lakh, respectively. All five are reportedly close to Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Raza Khan and have been booked in similar cases before for operating illegal charging units with stolen electricity.
Ongoing probe
Action will be taken against complicit officials: Chief Engineer
Chief Engineer Gyan Prakash termed the case "serious" and announced a three-member committee to investigate possible complicity of power department staff. He said, "Action will be taken against any official found complicit." The district administration has directed strict recovery proceedings, with Bareilly Additional District Magistrate Santosh Kumar Singh assuring that "strict recovery will be ensured as soon as copies of the RCs are received."
Property demolition
Action after 'I love Muhammad' posters row
The action against Raza Khan's aides comes after violent clashes on September 6 over "I Love Muhammad" posters. The police have registered 10 FIRs and arrested over 70 people, including Maulana Raza Khan and his aides. In a separate development, Bareilly Development Authority demolished an illegally constructed banquet hall owned by Nafees, another aide of Raza Khan. According to officials, the hall was illegally built on Waqf land.