In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court has ordered Maulana Tauqeer Raza, accused in the 2010 Bareilly riots, to surrender to the court by March 27th. The directive comes in response to a petition filed against a non-bailable warrant issued for Raza, providing him temporary relief from immediate arrest.
The court has temporarily stayed the execution of the warrant until Raza surrenders and files a bail application. However, it made clear that there will be no interference with the non-bailable warrant itself. Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra delivered the order after hearing arguments from both sides, providing Raza the opportunity to surrender in light of the upcoming Holi festival.
Raza, the chief of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, faces charges for allegedly inciting the Bareilly riots in 2010. Following his failure to appear before the court, the local Bareilly court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him, marking the second such warrant due to his non-appearance.
The High Court’s decision was also influenced by the trial court judge’s remarks based on personal observations, which the High Court found inappropriate and ordered to be removed from the judgment.
Also Read
The police have been instructed to arrest Raza and present him in court. Despite efforts, including teams sent to Hyderabad and Delhi, the police have been unable to apprehend him so far.
The case has seen further developments, with another accused in the riots, Shahrukh, requesting a transfer of the hearing to a different court. The district judge has called for the trial court files and set the next hearing date for March 21st.
In light of these circumstances, the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court First), Ravi Kumar Diwakar, has scheduled the next hearing for Maulana Tauqeer Raza on April 1st, extending the timeline for this high-profile case.
