Imam found dead near railway track: Bareilly police says action will follow formal complaint after kin allege assault

Bareilly: In the case of an Imam found dead near a railway line in Bareilly, family members have alleged that he may have been assaulted on a train, prompting police to await a formal complaint for further legal action.

The 30-year-old Imam from Bihar, Maulana Tousif Raza Mazhari, was found dead near railway tracks close to Bareilly on April 26.

While railway authorities termed it an accidental fall from a moving train, his family alleged he was assaulted and thrown off during the journey. His wife, Tabassum Khatoon, claimed she witnessed the attack on a video call, during which he said a group of intoxicated men had caught him, abused him and accused him of theft.

Mazhari, an imam and madrasa teacher from Kishanganj, had travelled to Bareilly to attend a religious event.

In a statement issued by the Bareilly Police, a copy of which is with Free Press Kashmir, the body was discovered on April 27 around 7.25am near Palpur crossing under the Cantt police station limits. The deceased was identified as Tauseef Raza, a resident of Kishanganj.

Police said the family was contacted through the deceased’s mobile phone, and after completing inquest proceedings, the body was sent for post-mortem and later handed over to relatives.

Initially, the incident appeared to be an accidental fall from a train. However, after arriving in Bareilly, the family on April 30 raised suspicion that Raza had been assaulted during the journey.

Police said they have spoken to the family and assured that appropriate legal action will be taken once a formal complaint is filed.