Allahabad High Court Denies Bail to Maulana Tauqeer Raza Over Bareilly Violence Case

NewsBharati    08-Sep-2026 17:30:02 PM
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Prayagraj, September 8: The Allahabad High Court on Monday denied bail to Islamic cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who is accused in connection with violence that broke out in Bareilly in September 2025 during a protest against alleged excesses by the Uttar Pradesh government against Muslims.
 
Maulana Tauqeer Raza
 
Justice Ashutosh Srivastava, while hearing the case Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan v. State of UP, observed that Raza had called for the protest to serve his religious and political interests. The Court noted that the gathering was called without obtaining the required official permission.
 
The Court rejected the argument that the proposed gathering at the Islamia Inter College ground had been cancelled after permission was denied. It observed that the march was still carried out and that clashes followed when police attempted to stop it, resulting in rioting and damage to public property.
 
 
The Bench also took note of Raza’s conduct after the incident. According to the Court, he later delivered a speech thanking people for responding to his call in large numbers and applauding their actions.
 
The Court also made strong observations regarding the slogan “Gustakh-e-Nabi Ki Ek Hi Saza, Sar Tan Se Juda”, which was allegedly raised during the gathering.

The Bench said the slogan amounted to a challenge to the authority of law and the sovereignty and integrity of India and could incite people towards armed rebellion, which is punishable under law.
 
 
 
The Court further observed that the slogan could not be equated with religious slogans such as “Nara-e-Takbir, Allahu Akbar”, “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”, “Jai Shri Ram” or “Har Har Mahadev”, which it described as expressions of respect towards the concerned God or Guru.
 
Raza had reportedly called for a demonstration over alleged atrocities and false cases against Muslim youths. Following clashes between protesters and police, an FIR was registered against 25 named and around 1,700 unidentified persons.
 
 
Although Raza was not present at the spot when the violence occurred, he was later named as an accused.
The Court's observations are similar to those made in December 2025 while denying bail to another accused in the case. The Court had then observed that the use of the slogan could attract Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with acts endangering India's sovereignty, unity and integrity.


High Court India Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Raza