Bareilly authorities carried out a major demolition drive on Saturday, October 4, 2025, targeting unauthorized structures throughout the district. Among the properties razed was a banquet hall linked to a person arrested in connection with the recent violence that erupted in the city on September 26.
The Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) led the demolition of Raza Palace, a property owned by 65-year-old Nafees, located in the Jakhira area. This operation proceeded with a strong police presence. Nafees and his 32-year-old son, Farhan, were apprehended on October 1. Police accuse them of playing a role in organizing the crowd at Islamia ground during the day of the violent incidents.
In an official statement, the BDA declared, “Today on October 4, 2025, demolition and sealing actions were carried out against illegal constructions, in accordance with the relevant sections of the Uttar Pradesh Town Planning and Development Act-1973.”
To promote stability and reassure residents, district police conducted a flag march across Bareilly’s main roads and public areas on Saturday. The Bareilly police stated that this initiative, carried out under the Senior Superintendent of Police’s (SSP) guidance, aimed to curb criminal activity, preserve peace, uphold law and order, and foster a feeling of safety among the populace.
The city of Bareilly has been under a cloud of tension since the September 26 violence. This unrest followed a planned sit-in protest announced by Islamic cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, who heads the Ittehad-e-Millat Council. The protest was a reaction to alleged derogatory remarks against the Prophet in various regions, including Shahjahanpur. Furthermore, it stemmed from a controversy involving “I Love Muhammad” posters displayed during an Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi procession in Kanpur. The appearance of these posters led Kanpur police to file cases against 24 individuals, drawing strong objections from Right-wing Hindu groups who perceived them as a departure from customary practices.
Police reports indicate that anti-social elements engaged in stone-pelting and firing, which prompted authorities to use minimal force to control the situation. To date, more than 80 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.