BAREILLY: The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has issued recovery notices worth over Rs 1 crore to five associates of cleric Tauqeer Raza in Bareilly for allegedly stealing electricity by tapping wires directly into supply lines. The enforcement followed communal violence on Sept 26 after protests over ‘I love Muhammad' posters turned violent outside Islamia grounds.
Those named in the recovery notices were Wasim Khan, Monish Khan, Barkan Raza Khan, Aman Raza Khan, and Ghulam Navi. Officials said electricity was being drawn without a meter — an offence under section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The section treats such violations as non-bailable and provides for imprisonment up to five years or a fine of Rs 1 lakh, or double the assessed loss. Chief engineer (distribution), Bareilly Zone One, Gyan Prakash, confirmed that the notices were issued as part of regular enforcement. "No one will be spared if found involved in electricity theft," he said.
The notice, accessed by TOI, read: "An FIR was registered against them for direct theft of electricity by inserting wires. Despite revenue assessment being completed, the accused have not yet deposited the assessed amounts." Individual dues were listed as Rs 15 lakh for Wasim Khan, Rs 22 lakh for Monish Khan, Rs 37 lakh for Barkan Raza Khan, and Rs 26 lakh each for Aman Raza Khan and Ghulam Navi.
Mohsin Khan, reacting to the notice, told TOI he had no connection with the cleric or the FIR. "I left Ittehad-e-Millat Council in 2005 and parted ways with Tauqeer Raza. Before the protest, I advised the youth not to respond to his call. A BJP district president spread the rumour that I am his son-in-law due to personal grudges. The outstanding amount shown against me is baseless. I do not own or run any e-rickshaw charging facility. I have no link to the FIR filed in connection with electricity theft."
The crackdown comes in the aftermath of violence that broke out on Sept 26 near Islamia grounds during a protest after Friday prayers. The protest was sparked by the circulation of posters with ‘I love Muhammad' written on them, which triggered clashes between police and protesters. Stones were thrown, and at least 10 police personnel were injured. The administration imposed Section 144 and suspended internet services.
Raza and seven others were arrested and sent to 14-day judicial custody for allegedly inciting the violence. In the days that followed, authorities identified illegal structures, unauthorised power use, and other violations linked to his network. Demolition drives and departmental actions were initiated, including the present set of recovery notices. Officials said further legal steps may be taken if dues remain unpaid.
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