Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Police’s Special Investigation Team has filed a comprehensive chargesheet in one of the cases pertaining to the violence in Sambhal in November 2024, naming 23 individuals, including Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and advocate Zafar Ali, head of the Shahi Jama Masjid committee. Ali was arrested in March this year.
The chargesheet spanning over 1,000 pages was submitted before the special MP/MLA court Wednesday.
Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi told ThePrint that the SIT has concluded its probe based on factual evidence, and the investigating officer formally submitted the chargesheet Wednesday. Suhail Iqbal, son of SP MLA Iqbal Mahmood, was not found to be involved and so, his name is not included in the chargesheet, he added.
Sambhal had witnessed violence on 24 November last year during a court-ordered survey of the Archaeological Survey of India-protected Shahi Jama Masjid as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with UP Police personnel, leading to heavy stone pelting and alleged firing by cops. Five people died and several others were injured. Police had denied firing at the protesters.
The survey had been initiated after claims that the mosque was constructed on the ruins of a Hindu temple allegedly demolished during the Mughal period. While the first survey had proceeded peacefully, tensions had escalated during the second survey on 24 November.
A total of 12 FIRs were registered at Sambhal Kotwali and Nakhasa police stations, including four pertaining to murder. SP Bishnoi said that 90 individuals involved in the violence have been arrested, including three women. The police are actively tracking down other suspects based on video footage.
According to UP Police, the violence had left 29 personnel injured, and those accused of violence allegedly indulged in arson, vandalism and firing, causing damage worth lakhs of rupees.
According to the initial FIR against Ali, Barq and Suhail, the MP was accused of delivering a provocative speech, while Suhail was alleged to have incited the mob during the clashes. Barq was also accused of urging people to halt the ongoing survey and gather at the site before the violence broke out.
Ali, a lawyer and head of the mosque’s committee, was arrested following a four-month probe, after which authorities accused him of inciting violence through social media and provocative statements.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
Also Read: Sambhal: A history of violence