In a significant development, the son of incarcerated Bareilly cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza was taken into police custody on Tuesday night. The arrest followed a road accident on the busy Lucknow–Delhi National Highway in Shahjahanpur district, which led to the discovery of suspected narcotics in his vehicle.
Accident on Highway Leads to Suspicion
The incident unfolded around 9 pm near Tilhar when a Hyundai Verna, driven by 30-year-old Farman Raza Khan, collided with a state transport bus. The impact was severe, causing extensive damage to the front portion of the car. Miraculously, Farman, who was travelling alone from Bareilly towards Prayagraj, escaped without any physical injuries.
However, his conduct immediately after the crash raised red flags for the Tilhar police who arrived at the scene. Farman allegedly refused to cooperate when officers asked him to open the car's boot for a routine inspection. He began arguing with the personnel, prompting ASP (Rural) Diksha Bhavare to also reach the accident site due to the growing commotion.
Drugs and Syringe Recovered from Car Boot
After forcibly opening the vehicle's boot, the police team made a critical discovery. Inside a suitcase, they found a small packet containing a white powder, suspected to be an illegal drug. The substance, weighing approximately half a gram, was accompanied by a syringe.
Farman Raza Khan was immediately taken to the police station for detailed questioning. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to personal drug consumption. He was subjected to a medical examination as part of the standard procedure. Shahjahanpur SSP Rajesh Diwedi confirmed the arrest and stated that further legal action is being initiated based on the evidence and forensic reports.
Connection to Father's Legal Troubles
Investigators revealed that Farman was ostensibly on his way to Prayagraj to consult a lawyer regarding bail proceedings for his father. Maulana Tauqeer Raza is currently lodged in Fatehgarh jail in connection with the violence that erupted in Bareilly on September 26. The clashes, which involved stone-pelting and alleged firing, occurred after calls for a mass gathering post Friday prayers.
Police had registered a total of 11 cases related to the Bareilly violence, with Tauqeer Raza named as an accused in 10 of them. Authorities are now verifying the recovery from his son's car and his admission of drug use. Appropriate sections of the law will be invoked once the medical and forensic findings are conclusive. Farman's travel plans reportedly changed abruptly after he reached Shahjahanpur, leading to the fateful accident.
