Maulana Tauqeer Raza, currently detained in Fatehgarh Central Jail in connection with the Bareilly violence that erupted on September 26, is now facing a notice for defaulting on a loan taken nearly thirty years ago. Officials confirmed on Saturday, October 11, 2025, that a recovery notice has been affixed to his Bareilly residence.
The initial loan, a modest ₹5,055, was borrowed from the Sadhan Sahkari Samiti in Rasulpur Puthi village, Budaun district, before 1997. With interest and penalties accumulating over decades, the outstanding amount has now escalated to ₹28,346.
Haribabu Bharti, General Manager of the District Cooperative Bank in Budaun, stated that efforts are underway to recover the sum. He mentioned that Raza reportedly sold all his properties in Budaun several years ago. Consequently, any known assets belonging to him, regardless of their location, will be subject to seizure to settle the government debt. Bharti has compiled a comprehensive report on the matter and submitted it to higher authorities.
The forgotten debt came to light when Hridayesh Kumar Singh, secretary of the Sadhan Sahkari Samiti, was reviewing a list of loan defaulters. He recognized the name Tauqeer Raza, realizing it was the same individual implicated in the recent Bareilly disturbances. Singh explained that Raza had taken the loan to purchase fertilizer but consistently failed to repay it despite numerous reminders. He confirmed that Raza and his family had since sold their land and relocated from the district, and that senior officials are now focused on promptly recovering the outstanding amount.
Budaun District Magistrate Avanish Rai also acknowledged on Saturday, October 11, 2025, that he had been informed of Raza’s debt exceeding ₹28,000 to the cooperative society. He confirmed that Assistant Registrar of Cooperatives, Munnalal Mishra, plans to serve a notice to Raza imminently for loan recovery.
The background to Raza’s current incarceration involves a tense situation that gripped Bareilly on September 26, 2025. Protesters, upset by FIRs filed against ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters, clashed with police after Friday prayers when their demonstration was denied permission. The violence led to several injuries and numerous arrests. As of October 8, 2025, two additional arrests were made, bringing the total to 88 individuals, including Tauqeer Raza.
To date, 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged in connection with the case, naming 125 individuals and listing over 3,000 unidentified persons.