'I Love Muhammad' row: Bareilly cleric's close aide arrested after encounter, 8 properties identified for demolition

The close aide of Maulana Tauqeer Raza, who was at the center of the recent 'I Love Mohammed' row that triggered unrest in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly, was arrested by the police following an encounter.

Maulana Mohsin Raza, the cleric's aide is the son-in-law of Raza’s elder brother Mannani Miya.

In addition to this, the Bareilly authorities have identified eight allegedly illegal properties linked to associates of Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan for demolition action, PTI reported.

Teams from the Bareilly Development Authority (BDA) and district administration carried out a joint drive in Faiq Enclave, Jagatpur, and the old city areas, they said.  The structures are alleged to have been built without approved maps, with some encroaching on government and ceiling land.  Police claimed that Faiq Enclave has emerged as a hideout for criminals over the years.  Earlier, a premise linked to Saddam, brother-in-law of gangster Atiq Ahmad, was sealed here. Now, connections of Tauqeer's aides Farhat and coloniser Mohammad Arif with similar activities have surfaced, officials said.