A high-stakes police interception in Shahjahanpur has led to the detention of Maulana Tauqeer Raza’s son after drugs and syringes were discovered in his car. The revelation has stunned followers and critics alike, thrusting the influential preacher’s family into the heart of a narcotics scandal.
Details emerged early morning when Shahjahanpur police shared visuals of the seized items: small packets of white powder, tablets, and medical syringes hidden in the dashboard and seats. The operation, part of intensified patrolling amid rising drug concerns, unfolded without resistance.
The suspect, in his mid-20s and son of the Bareilly-based Maulana, cooperated minimally during initial interrogation. Police suspect the haul could be part of personal consumption or low-level peddling, with deeper inquiries underway.
Tauqeer Raza, head of Ittehad-e-Millat Council and known for controversial fatwas, maintains a massive following. This development risks eroding his public image, especially as elections loom on the horizon.
Uttar Pradesh’s aggressive anti-drug campaign has netted thousands of kilograms of contraband this year alone. Shahjahanpur’s location near inter-state highways makes it a hotspot for smugglers evading checkpoints.
Local voices express concern over youth vulnerability to addiction, calling for rehabilitative measures alongside enforcement. The Maulana’s camp hints at fabricated evidence, demanding a thorough CBI-style probe.
With forensic reports pending, the case could escalate. It highlights the intersection of faith, family, and felony in modern India, where no one is above the law’s reach.