"Total of 56 arrests, including Nadeem Khan, the main conspirator of Bareilly violence": SSP Anurag Arya

Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 29 (ANI): A total of 56 arrests were made by the Bareilly Police, including Nadeem Khan, a key conspirator in the Bareilly violence case. Khan is considered the right-hand man of Maulana Tauqeer Raza.
Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya led the crackdown, ensuring that justice was served and confirmed that Nadeem was apprehended by the police for his involvement in inciting violence. A total of 56 individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the violence.
"The main conspirator, Nadeem Khan, has been arrested today. A wireless set has been recovered from him. He is being sent to jail. The other accused are also being sent to jail. A total of 56 arrests, including that of Nadeem Khan, have been made so far. Their intention was to mislead the public and the police and break the law of the land...," said Arya.
This comes after recent violence in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, related to the "I Love Muhammad" row. In the city of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, a seemingly peaceful protest turned violent on September 26, 2025. The situation escalated when a group of individuals, allegedly incited by provocative messages on WhatsApp, gathered at a specific location and clashed with the police. The confrontation resulted in injuries and significant damage to public property.
Nadeem Khan, one of the main conspirators, was arrested by the police for his role in orchestrating the violence. During interrogation, Khan revealed that an appeal letter bearing his signature, along with those of Dr. Nafis and Liaquat, was circulated on letterhead, urging people to gather and protest. However, Khan later attempted to mislead the public and the police by denying his involvement.
The police are still searching for Liaquat, another key figure involved in the incident. Arya assured the public that the investigation is ongoing, and those responsible will face the consequences of their actions. The authorities are working to maintain peace and order in the region, ensuring that such incidents do not recur.
The police also recovered a mobile handset snatched from a police officer during the incident and a weapon likely used during the violence from another accused, Jafruddin.
"Today, 28 accused have been arrested. One of the main conspirators, Nadeem Khan, has been arrested by the Police. Police have recovered the mobile handset that he had snatched from a police during the incident on 26th September. Another accused, Jafruddin, has been arrested, and a weapon probably used during the incident has been recovered from him. The accused, admitting to their involvement in the incident, stated that they received messages through WhatsApp to gather at a specific location. Accused Nadeem Khan has stated that an appeal, bearing his, Dr Nafis's, and Liaquat's signatures, was circulated on letterhead. Our team is searching for Liaquat. Nadeem Khan tried to mislead people, saying the signature on the appeal letter was not his...," said SSP Bareilly.
Maulana Tauqeer Raza was arrested earlier, and both he and Khan have been sent to judicial custody. Raza was transferred to Fatehgarh Central Jail. SSP Bareilly further stated that more arrests will be made soon.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned that anyone inciting violence in the name of faith would be dealt with sternly. Security has been tightened in Bareilly and the surrounding districts, with top officials monitoring the situation closely.
On Friday, September 26, a group of people pelted stones during a protest after Friday prayers in Bareilly, prompting the police to resort to a lathi charge and detain several of them.
Protestors had gathered outside the Ala Hazrat Dargah and the residence of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, holding placards that read "I Love Mohammad."
Earlier, UP Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Range Ajay Kumar Sahni said that Maulana Tauqeer Raza, a cleric and the main conspirator of the violence, has been arrested and sent to judicial custody. (ANI)