MEERUT, June 29 -- Police in Bareilly have escalated their search for Imam Riyazuddin, a key suspect in the investigation against Haidari Dal, a group accused of faith-based vigilantism and harassment of women. The crackdown follows a series of arrests after a viral video from June 7, 2025, purportedly showed group members confronting women in Gandhi Udyan Park during Bakrid celebrations.

The 22-year-old imam from Majhua village under Faridpur police station is believed to be central to the group's financial and operational planning. According to officials, Riyazuddin circulated a QR code on social media to collect donations, which were used to produce provocative videos posted on Instagram handles like 'Haidri Dal Bareilly' and 'Haidari...