A crucial eyewitness in the high-profile September 26 Bareilly violence case has come forward with a chilling allegation: a Rs 5 lakh contract has been issued to eliminate him in an attempt to sabotage the ongoing trial. Following his formal complaint, the Bareilly police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against nine individuals.
Witness Targeted for Assisting Investigation
The complainant, Mohd Firdaus Khan (35), informed the authorities that he played a pivotal role during the initial investigation into the clashes. He stated that he assisted the police during the violence that erupted over 'I Love Muhammad' posters and later helped identify several accused persons using video footage and photographs. According to Khan, this cooperation is the primary reason the accused have turned against him.
The police have taken swift action based on his complaint. The named accused in the FIR include jailed corporator and IMC office-bearer Anees Saklani, his wife Yasmeen Jahan, and their son Adnan. In a significant development, police arrested a man identified as Furqan, a resident of Pilibhit district, on Sunday. He was allegedly apprehended for agreeing to carry out the killing. Authorities recovered a country-made pistol, cartridges, and Rs 20,000 in cash from him, suspected to be an advance payment for the contract.
Alleged Threats and Jail Conspiracy
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bareilly, Anurag Arya, confirmed that the claims are being thoroughly verified and investigations are underway. The arrested accused, Furqan, is currently being questioned. According to the details in the FIR, Firdaus Khan alleged that Saklani and his associates believe he testified against them, holding him responsible for their continued time in jail.
Khan provided a timeline of intimidation. He claimed that on December 18, Adnan Saklani and others intercepted and threatened him, accusing him of ensuring their leaders remained incarcerated. They allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh from him, citing mounting legal expenses, and warned of severe consequences if he failed to pay.
The plot allegedly escalated on December 26. Khan stated he received information that Yasmeen Jahan met Anees Saklani and two other accused inside the jail, where a plan to murder him was finalized. Subsequently, Furqan was allegedly contacted and tasked with monitoring Khan's daily movements to find an opportunity to strike.
Arrested Accused's Criminal Past and Connection
Police investigations into Furqan revealed he has multiple criminal cases registered against him. He reportedly told investigators that he first met Anees Saklani in 2022 when both were lodged in Pilibhit jail. After his release, Furqan shifted to Bareilly and was running a tea stall. He claimed that Yasmeen Jahan later approached him, providing him with cash and the firearm to execute the plan.
The case for which Firdaus Khan is a witness dates back to September 26, when violence broke out after police prevented supporters from assembling with religious placards following Friday prayers. The situation quickly escalated into alleged stone-pelting and firing, resulting in injuries to at least 10 police personnel. Prominent figures including IMC president Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan are among those arrested, and several charge sheets have already been filed in the case.
The latest allegations of a witness murder plot have added a serious new dimension to this already sensitive case, raising major concerns about witness protection and the integrity of the judicial process.
