Death of elderly madrasa manager Kalamuddin in Raunapar village follows raid linked to SIT cases as relatives accuse police of beating threats and bribe demands
AZAMGARH — An elderly madrasa manager died during a police raid in Raunapar village of Azamgarh District of Uttar Pradesh, leading to anger and fear among local residents and raising serious questions over police action during an investigation linked to a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The deceased, Kalamuddin, ran Islamia Miftahul Uloom in Raunapar village. His family said he was ill, elderly, and in no condition to face pressure. They allege that fear, abuse, and violence during the raid caused his death.
According to the family, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Surendra Kumar reached Kalamuddin’s new house at Arazi Devara Nainijor Nai Basti on Monday, in connection with two cases registered under Crime No. 35/25 and 36/25 after an SIT inquiry.
Amish Ahmed, son of the deceased, said the police acted harshly from the moment they arrived. “My father was abused and beaten. He was chased and fell to the ground. He died there. The policemen left the place,” he told reporters.
He added, “My father was suffering from heart disease and tuberculosis. The fear and beating killed him.”
Family members also accused the police of long-running harassment and illegal demands. Amish Ahmed said, “We were called to the police station many times. Money was demanded. Sometimes one lakh, sometimes two lakh rupees. We were threatened with false cases if we did not pay.”
Soon after Kalamuddin’s death, tension spread in Raunapar. Villagers gathered, raising slogans and demanding action. Police from around six stations were deployed to control the situation and prevent protests from spreading.
The background to the case lies in an SIT probe into alleged irregularities in madrasa recognition and grants in Azamgarh. The inquiry reportedly found 219 madrasas that failed to meet standards, with some said to exist only on paper. The state government had ordered cases against such operators around eleven months ago.
Police officials denied the allegations of assault. The Superintendent of Police (Rural) said the team had gone to arrest an accused wanted in two cases. “On seeing the police from a distance, the accused ran. His health worsened and he collapsed,” the officer said.
Police claimed that Kalamuddin was taken to hospital by his family, where doctors declared him dead. “Initial information suggests a heart condition,” an official said.
The body has been sent for post-mortem, which is being carried out under video recording and the supervision of senior doctors. Police said further action would depend on the findings.
For Kalamuddin’s family and many local Muslims, the death has deepened fear. A relative said, “This was not justice. An old madrasa teacher died in terror. We want the truth to come out.”
The post-mortem report is now awaited, as the case continues to draw attention across Azamgarh.
