Nearly two weeks after Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan — president of the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) — was arrested in connection with the violent clashes in Bareilly, he faces fresh trouble. The Badaun District Cooperative Bank has now issued a recovery notice to Khan for allegedly defaulting on a Rs 5,055 agricultural loan he had taken over 35 years ago. On Thursday, bank officials pasted the notice outside Khan’s home in the Biharipur Dhal area of Bareilly. The Bareilly police had accused Khan, 65, of allegedly “masterminding” the violence. SSP Anurag Arya said the cleric has now been booked in 10 out of the 12 cases related to the September 26 clashes. He added that a warrant had also been sought against him in a 2019 case concerning protests over the CAA According to bank chairman, Jitendra Kumar Saxena, Khan had taken a short-term crop loan of Rs 5,055 from the bank on October 29, 1990. “Since he has not repaid the loan till date (as of October 8, 2025), the total outstanding amount, including interest, has increased to Rs 28,346. His account has been classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA),” he said. Saxena further explained that the notice was issued by the Multi-Purpose Primary Rural Cooperative Society (PACS) Limited, the institution through which the loan had originally been disbursed. “As per the notice, Khan has been directed to immediately deposit the outstanding amount, along with interest, within 15 days of receiving the letter. Failure to do so will result in recovery proceedings being initiated against him,” Saxena said. He added that the notice clearly states the recovery would be carried out as arrears of land revenue, and Khan would be personally liable for any coercive action taken under the prescribed rules. He said Khan’s family property was located in Badaun’s Kartoli village. The bank chairman said the notice is being sent to Khan at Fatehgarh Jail, where he is currently lodged, through the jail superintendent. Additionally, another copy of the notice will be sent to Harish Chander, Deputy Inspector General of Kanpur Range, he added. Violence broke out following Friday prayers last month after police stopped a group of people carrying ‘I Love Muhammad’ placards from assembling. When some members of the crowd protested, police reportedly used force to disperse them, triggering chaos. According to officials, a section of the mob allegedly pelted stones, raised slogans, and even opened fire at the police. The protest in Bareilly, and other cities, came after Kanpur Police had booked nine persons over ‘I Love Muhammad’ posters and a lightboard, that were put up for the Barawafat procession to commemorate the birth of the Prophet, in August. Kanpur Police, however, had said the FIR was over an incident in which religious posters were torn. Superintendent of Police (Bareilly) Manush Pareek said police are now planning to expedite investigations in other pending cases against Khan. In the recent cases related to the violence, police have also identified the involvement of around 40 members of the IMC. Following the clashes, local authorities had launched sealing and demolition drives against Khan's associates — several of whom have also been arrested. Officials, however, maintained that the drives were routine and not linked to the violence.
