Son of Jailed Cleric Held in Shahjahanpur Narcotics Case
In a significant development, Farman Khan, the 30-year-old son of incarcerated Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, was detained by police in Shahjahanpur district. The action came after a suspected narcotic substance was allegedly recovered from his possession following a road accident.
The Accident and Subsequent Recovery
The incident unfolded around 8 pm on Wednesday on the busy Lucknow–Delhi National Highway in the Tilhar area. According to Shahjahanpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Dwivedi, Farman Khan rammed his car into a roadways bus that was parked on the roadside.
While the front portion of the car was severely damaged, Farman escaped without any physical injuries. He was travelling alone at the time. Police stated that he was on his way to Prayagraj to consult a lawyer regarding his father's ongoing bail proceedings.
Following the crash, police officials inspected the vehicle. During a search that included the car's boot, they discovered a packet containing a white powder and a syringe inside a suitcase. The powder weighed approximately 0.5 grams.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
Based on the initial recovery, Farman Khan was booked under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which pertains to punishment for contravention related to psychotropic substances.
SSP Rajesh Dwivedi provided further details on the investigation. "The recovered powder was sent for forensic examination. Blood samples were also collected and sent for testing. Based on the medical and forensic reports, sections may be altered," he told the media.
During police questioning, Farman Khan reportedly admitted to purchasing the substance from Delhi. He also confessed to having consumed around 0.5 grams of it via injection.
Background: The Father's Incarceration
This case brings renewed attention to the legal troubles of Farman's father, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan. The IMC chief is currently lodged in Fatehgarh jail after his arrest for alleged involvement in the violence that erupted in Bareilly on September 26.
The violence was linked to protests surrounding the ‘I Love Muhammad' drive in parts of Uttar Pradesh. It was alleged that Tauqeer Raza Khan and another member of his organisation incited members of the Muslim community to gather and protest against the authorities.
A total of 11 cases were registered in connection with the September incident, with Tauqeer Raza Khan named as an accused in 10 of those cases. His son, Farman Khan, is a resident of Australia.
The police are now awaiting the forensic lab reports to determine the exact nature of the seized substance, which will dictate the future course of legal action against the accused.
