MEERUT, Nov. 13 -- In a renewed crackdown following the September 26 violence in Bareilly, police have stepped up action against those allegedly involved, expanding the scope of investigations and tightening the legal noose around key suspects. Of the seven men carrying a Rs.15,000 reward each, four continue to evade arrest as fresh FIRs and court proceedings intensify against them.

Officials said several accused, including wedding hall operators and aides of Maulana Tauqeer Raza, are allegedly trying to influence the process to evade arrest or weaken the charges. Many of them face multiple cases, reducing their chances of getting bail.

According to police records, Sajid Saklaini of Rohli Tola, initially named in two cases, has now been...