In a significant development related to the violence that occurred in Bareilly on September 26, Afzal Beg, a key aide and personal secretary to Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, the chief of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), has surrendered before a local court. Police confirmed his surrender on Thursday.
Beg, who was carrying a reward of ₹15,000 for his arrest, appeared before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on Wednesday. Accompanied by his lawyer and a few supporters, Beg surrendered, and the court has since remanded him to judicial custody.
According to police reports, Afzal Beg, a resident of Viharipur in Civil Lines, previously held an office-bearer position within the IMC. He was known to be closely associated with Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan and the IMC spokesperson, Nafees.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya stated that a reward was announced for Beg’s apprehension after he could not be located. Kila police station in-charge Subhash Singh was tasked with ensuring his arrest.
Singh mentioned that authorities had received prior intelligence about Beg’s planned surrender. A police team was stationed outside the court, but Beg managed to surrender discreetly within the premises with the assistance of his legal counsel.
It has also been revealed that Beg is a wanted suspect in another rioting case registered at the Baradari police station. Detectives are expected to request his custody for further interrogation in that case as well.
SSP Arya further added that police intend to seek non-bailable warrants against other absconding accused individuals. If they fail to present themselves before the court, reward amounts may be increased, and property attachment proceedings could be initiated with court approval.
The violence in Bareilly on September 26 reportedly stemmed from a dispute over posters displaying the message ‘I Love Muhammad’. Clashes erupted between a large gathering outside a mosque after Friday prayers and the police. The incident allegedly followed a call by Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan after police denied permission for a demonstration. Protesters are reported to have pelleted stones, leading to a lathi charge by the police to restore order.
Police have alleged that some IMC leaders conspired to instigate the riots under the pretext of protests. Several individuals have already been arrested in connection with the violence, including the IMC chief, spokesperson Nafees, former district president Nadeem Khan, social media in-charge Farhat Khan, city president Anees Saklani, founding member Moin Siddiqui, former district president Munir Idrishi, and district president Shamsad.