A 30-year-old cleric from Bihar’s Kishanganj district was allegedly killed after being assaulted and thrown from a moving train near Bareilly railway station on April 26, 2026.
Maulana Tousif Raza Mazhari, a resident of Bakhotoli village in Thakurganj, was found dead near railway tracks close to the station in Uttar Pradesh late Sunday night. While railway authorities have termed the incident an accident, his family has rejected the claim, alleging that he was beaten by unidentified individuals during his journey and murdered.
Raza, son of Abul Hussain, was an imam and a madrasa teacher in Siwan. He had travelled to Bareilly to attend the annual Urs of Tajusharia and was returning home by train when the incident occurred.
Wife Recalls Disturbing Final Call
His wife, Tabassum Khatoon, described the horrifying moments leading up to his death in an emotional account.
“This happened on the night of the 26th. He had called me while he was on the train. He sounded scared and told me that some people were beating him,” she told The Observer Post.
According to her, her husband repeatedly pleaded for help but received none from fellow passengers.
“They were calling him a thief and accusing him of stealing. He tried to show them his books and bag on a video call and said, ‘I am not a thief, I teach at a madrasa.’ I also shouted on the call asking people to help him, but no one listened,” she said.
Tabassum said she saw the assault live on video call.
“I saw them dragging him by the collar, slapping and beating him. It was terrifying. I believe this was not random. There is some conspiracy behind it,” she alleged.
She further suggested that his appearance may have made him a target. “He had a beard and wore a cap. It is possible they attacked him because of that,” she said.
Family Rejects Accident Theory
The family claims that the nature of the injuries indicates assault rather than a fall.
“If he had fallen from a moving train, his body would have been badly damaged. But his body was intact, with clear signs of beating all over,” Tabassum said.
She added that she tried calling her husband throughout the night but got no response. The next morning, a police officer answered his phone.
“They told me they found his phone and belongings near the tracks. At first, they said he was serious, and later they confirmed he had died,” she said.
The body was taken to Bareilly Cantt police station, and the family was informed afterward.
Local Anger and Fear Among Workers
The incident has sparked fear among migrant workers from the region who frequently travel by train to cities like Delhi and Mumbai for employment.
Tawangar Hussain Baghi, a local resident, said the news has shaken the community.
“When we heard about this, we rushed to his house. It is a tragic incident, and no leader or media has reached here until now,” he said.
He added that many young men are now afraid to travel.
“People here are cancelling their train tickets. They are scared that they might also be attacked and thrown out of trains,” he said.
Baghi alleged that Tausif Raza may have been targeted because of his identity.
“Because of his beard, cap, and the name ‘Mohammad’ on his ID, he may have been singled out. This is not an accident, this is murder,” he claimed.
Allegations of Mob Violence
Drawing parallels with previous incidents of mob violence, Baghi said, “We have seen cases from Akhlaq to Pehlu Khan. Now it has happened again. If we don’t speak up, tomorrow it could be any one of us.”
He urged people to raise their voices and demand justice.
“We must unite and fight for justice. If we remain silent today, no one will stand for us tomorrow,” he said.
Uncle Points to Possible Conspiracy
Raza’s uncle also rejected the accident theory and suggested that the attackers may have deliberately incited others against him.
“It appears they first assaulted him and then tried to convince others that he was a thief. This was done cleverly to turn the crowd against him,” he said.
He questioned the law-and-order situation and called for accountability.
“If such incidents are happening, then how can we say that crime has ended? Where are these attackers coming from?” he asked.
Demand for Investigation and Justice
The family has not yet filed a formal FIR but is preparing to pursue legal action. Meanwhile, local residents and community members are demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.
They have urged the Uttar Pradesh government and railway authorities to identify the attackers, examine CCTV footage, and ensure strict action against those responsible.
Police Say No Evidence of Assault, Call It Accidental Death
Bareilly Police have denied allegations of murder or assault. According to the official statement, the incident took place on April 27, 2026, when the body was found near railway tracks in the Palpur Kamalpur area.
Police identified the deceased as Tausif Raza, a resident of Kishanganj, who was returning after attending a religious event.
In their statement, police said, “Due to extreme heat, the deceased was sitting near the train window and while dozing off, he lost balance and fell down, resulting in fatal injuries.”
#UPPolice pic.twitter.com/TPfSZu2L1M
— Bareilly Police (@bareillypolice) April 30, 2026
They further said that no evidence of fighting, pushing, or assault was found at the spot.
“No signs of quarrel or attack have been found from the incident site or investigation so far,” police said.
Officials also said that the deceased’s belongings, including his mobile phone, PAN card, and ATM card, were recovered intact. They added that the phone was functional and helped trace the family.
