The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested Zafar Ali, president of the Shahi Jama Masjid committee, for allegedly inciting violence during a mosque survey in November 2023, which resulted in the deaths of five people.
Arrest and Charges
Ali was detained from his residence near the mosque at around 11 AM and interrogated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for nearly four hours before being formally arrested. Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar Bishnoi confirmed that Ali was taken into custody based on collected evidence.
Ali faces charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 191(3): Rioting
- Section 190: Unlawful assembly
- Section 221: Obstructing a public servant
- Section 125: Act endangering life or safety
- Section 196: Promoting enmity between groups
Background of the Violence
Tensions in Sambhal escalated after a civil court ordered a survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid on November 19, 2023. A second survey attempt on November 24 led to violent clashes, resulting in five deaths and injuries to dozens, including police personnel.
The police claimed they did not fire at the protesters, attributing the gunfire to “miscreants” in the crowd. However, the mosque committee contested this claim, alleging that the victims were killed in police firing. Ali’s brother, Tahir Ali, also a lawyer, accused authorities of arresting Zafar to prevent him from testifying before a state judicial commission investigating the case.
Increased Security Measures
Following Ali’s arrest, authorities deployed over 200 security personnel around the mosque and stationed forces from five police stations in the area. SP Bishnoi led a flag march to maintain order.
The Uttar Pradesh Police’s SIT has already filed a 4,000-page charge sheet in six of the 12 cases related to the Sambhal violence. The report names 159 accused individuals, with 79 arrests, including three women. The investigation also revealed that weapons recovered from the violence site originated from the UK, USA, Germany, and Czechoslovakia.
Historical and Legal Context
The Shahi Jama Masjid, built in the 16th century by Mughal general Mir Hindu Beg, is a centrally protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 1920. The controversy arose after Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain alleged that the mosque was built over the demolished Hari Hara Mandir. The Hindu petitioners sought worship rights at the complex, a claim denied by the mosque committee.
In December 2024, the Supreme Court restrained lower courts from ordering new mosque surveys or ruling on pending cases seeking verification of temples beneath mosques. The sealed survey report of the mosque was submitted to the civil judge in January 2025.
As legal proceedings continue, the arrest of Zafar Ali has further intensified tensions in Sambhal, with authorities urging residents to maintain peace.
Sources By Agencies
