The Allahabad High Court has denied the bail application of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who is regarded as the key figure behind the violent events that occurred in Bareilly last year. The court’s decision, issued by Justice Ashutosh Srivastava, highlighted that the evidence presented indicates Khan engaged in these activities to further his religious and political ambitions.
During the ruling, the court supported the state government’s assertion that the slogan “Sar Tan Se Juda,” which was chanted by the gathering, was not only a defiance of legal authority but also incited individuals towards armed insurrection. The bench distinguished this slogan from religious phrases like “Jai Shri Ram,” “Har Har Mahadev,” and “Allahu-Akbar,” asserting that the latter are expressions of reverence towards deities or spiritual leaders.
The court criticized Khan’s behavior following the unrest, noting that he publicly thanked his supporters for their participation and even praised the violent actions that occurred. The clashes erupted on September 26 during a demonstration advocating for the “I love Muhammad” campaign. Khan, who leads the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), has been in custody since September 27, 2025, due to separate charges linked to the violence.
He faces multiple serious accusations, including rioting, instigating religious discord, attempted murder, and violations under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Khan is a well-known figure within the Barelvi Sunni community and holds significant sway in both religious and social circles in Bareilly.
In his defense, Khan’s lawyers contended that he was wrongfully implicated in the case for political reasons, arguing that his prominence made him a target. They asserted that on September 19, 2025, the IMC had organized a meeting to protest against perceived injustices faced by the Muslim community and did not intend to incite violence.
The defence maintained that there were no direct accusations of violence or property damage directed at him, disputing the claim that he orchestrated the incident as suggested in the first information report (FIR).
Conversely, the state’s legal representatives opposed the bail request, labeling Khan as the orchestrator of the violence. They claimed that a meeting held on September 19 included the provocative slogan “Gustakh E Nabi Ki Ek Saza, Sar Tan Se Juda,” and that the Muslim community was urged to gather at Islamia Inter College after prayers on September 26.
The prosecution argued that the ensuing mob engaged in violent acts, including assaulting police officers with sharp weapons, damaging uniforms, and using firearms with lethal intent. They further alleged that the crowd reiterated the inciting slogan during the chaos.
It was also noted that Khan has a history of 24 criminal cases against him and was allegedly pivotal in stirring up the crowd through his speeches. After considering the arguments, the court remarked that the Muslim community’s march led to confrontations with police, who were simply executing their duties, resulting in injuries to law enforcement personnel.
The court recognized the legitimacy of the state counsel’s argument that the slogan “Gushtakh-e-Nabi Ke Ek Hi Saja, Sar Tan Se Juda, Sar Tan Se Juda” represents a challenge to the rule of law and the sovereignty of India, inciting armed rebellion, which is punishable under existing laws.
The bench emphasized that this slogan could not be equated with other expressions of religious respect, such as “Nara-e-Takbir” or “Allahu-Akbar,” underscoring the gravity of the situation.
