A key witness in last year's communal violence in Bareilly has filed a police complaint alleging that nine individuals, including a jailed local corporator and his family, conspired to have him murdered by hiring a contract killer for Rs 5 lakh. The police have since detained a suspect from the neighbouring Pilibhit district in connection with the alleged plot.
Witness Details Jailhouse Conspiracy
Mohammad Firdaus Khan, a 35-year-old former corporator, filed the FIR at Bareilly's Baradari police station on Saturday. He stated that the accused, currently incarcerated in connection with the September 26, 2025 Bareilly clashes, developed enmity towards him because he assisted police in maintaining law and order and helped identify perpetrators from videos and photographs.
According to the complaint, the conspiracy was hatched inside the jail. Firdaus alleged that on December 26, he was informed that Yasmeen Jahan, the wife of jailed corporator Anees Saklani, along with her son Adnan, visited the prison. While others waited outside, Yasmeen allegedly met her husband and two other accused, Faizul Nabi and Moin.
Inside, with the alleged backing of senior leaders of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), they conspired and instructed Yasmeen to have Firdaus killed. The complaint further states the accused said anyone who came in their way should be dealt with similarly to deter future witnesses.
Police Detain Alleged Contract Killer
Acting on the complaint, Bareilly police on Sunday detained a man identified as Furqan, a resident of Pilibhit district. He is alleged to be the contract killer hired to execute Firdaus Khan.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Bareilly, Anurag Arya, confirmed the detention, stating the allegations in the complaint appear to have merit. Furqan is being interrogated to uncover the identities of those who allegedly hired him. Police confirmed that a part of the Rs 5 lakh contract amount had already been paid as an advance, and the alleged killer was seen loitering near the complainant's house.
Background of Threats and Extortion
The complaint outlines a series of threats preceding the murder plot. Firdaus claimed that on December 18, Adnan (Anees Saklani's son) and his associates accosted him. They allegedly abused and threatened him, blaming him for their leaders' incarceration and claiming they were forced to stay away from home due to police action.
They further told him they had spent Rs 8–10 lakh on legal proceedings without relief and demanded he arrange Rs 10 lakh within two days, warning of serious consequences if he failed. Firdaus stated that when he shared this initial threat with his brother, the matter was downplayed, leading to no immediate police action.
Connection to the 2025 Bareilly Violence
The roots of this alleged conspiracy trace back to September 26, 2025, when violence erupted in Bareilly after police prevented a group carrying 'I Love Muhammad' placards from gathering after Friday prayers. Protests turned violent, with reports of stone-pelting, slogan-raising, and even firing at police.
The protest was partly inspired by similar police action in Kanpur against 'I Love Muhammad' displays. Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, president of the IMC, and local corporator Anees Saklani, an IMC office-bearer, were among those arrested. Both are currently in jail, and a chargesheet has been filed in the case.
Firdaus Khan, who lives near Anees Saklani's house, stated he helped the administration maintain peace during the clashes. He alleged the accused believed he had identified them to police and testified against them in court, fostering the grudge. However, police clarified that no court statement from Firdaus has been recorded yet.
Based on the FIR, nine people, including Yasmeen Jahan and her son Adnan, have been booked. The investigation is ongoing as police question the detained suspect to unravel the full conspiracy.
