The Crossbill Team
Zafar Ali, chairperson of the managing committee of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, was arrested on Sunday (March 23) in connection with the alleged criminal conspiracy behind the violence that erupted during a contentious survey of the mosque in November last year.
His arrest, which took place exactly four months after the November 24 clashes, has sparked allegations that authorities are attempting to prevent him from testifying before a judicial commission in Lucknow. Ali, who is also a lawyer, had been summoned for questioning two days in a row before being taken into custody.
According to his brother, Tahir Ali, Zafar was scheduled to appear before the judicial commission on Monday but was arrested to obstruct his testimony.
“Police don’t want him to go and give his statement before the commission. To stop him from appealing before the judicial commission, police carried out this unconstitutional act” Tahir Ali told The Wire.
Ahead of the arrest, a heavy security deployment, including personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), was placed around the mosque and near Ali’s residence, which is just 100 meters from the religious site.
Authorities Defend Arrest, Families Cry Foul
Sambhal Additional SP Shirish Chand defended the police action, stating that Ali had been under investigation since the violence broke out.
"He was on the radar of the Sambhal police since November 24 and that was why we picked him up for interrogation last year. Due to a lack of proper evidence, we had to release him, and since then, we have been gathering more evidence. Today, he has been arrested," he told The Indian Express.
Meanwhile, Tahir Ali reiterated that his brother had been deliberately targeted.
"Two policemen came to our residence around 11.30 am today. They said that fresh statements of Zafar Ali have to be recorded regarding the violence, and they took him to the local Kotwali police station," he alleged.
Zafar Ali, who had previously stated that he witnessed police firing on protesters, was initially detained on November 25 but released after questioning.
He was not named in the original FIR. However, on Sunday, Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Bishnoi announced that Ali had now been arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy.
So far, 79 people, including three women, have been arrested in connection with the violence. A total of 130 bail applications have been filed in the Chandausi court in Sambhal, but none have been granted. Zafar Ali is the first member of the mosque committee to be taken into custody.
His arrest has further intensified tensions, with rights activists questioning the timing and legality of the move. Investigations into the incident and the broader dispute over the mosque continue.
The 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid has been at the center of growing tensions since a petition claimed that it was built on the site of an ancient Hindu temple.
The situation escalated in November 2024 when a court-appointed advocate commissioner conducted a survey of the mosque, triggering protests. The survey was halted midway on November 19 due to resistance from local residents.
Violence erupted on November 24, following a speech by Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, who was later accused of inciting the unrest. During the clashes, four Muslim men were killed, with their families alleging that they were shot by the police. Authorities, however, denied these claims, stating that law enforcement only used tear gas, batons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
His arrest, which took place exactly four months after the November 24 clashes, has sparked allegations that authorities are attempting to prevent him from testifying before a judicial commission in Lucknow. Ali, who is also a lawyer, had been summoned for questioning two days in a row before being taken into custody.
According to his brother, Tahir Ali, Zafar was scheduled to appear before the judicial commission on Monday but was arrested to obstruct his testimony.
“Police don’t want him to go and give his statement before the commission. To stop him from appealing before the judicial commission, police carried out this unconstitutional act” Tahir Ali told The Wire.
Ahead of the arrest, a heavy security deployment, including personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), was placed around the mosque and near Ali’s residence, which is just 100 meters from the religious site.
Indian Administration is once again targeting prominent #Muslim figures who have been advocating against injustice and vi0lence. Zafar Ali was among the first to raise his voice against police kill! ngs in #Sambhal.#BBB25 #Bitcoin #KimPau#amici24 #bbtvipic.twitter.com/u6lc08VO68
— Rasush (@RasushAnkita) March 24, 2025
Authorities Defend Arrest, Families Cry Foul
Sambhal Additional SP Shirish Chand defended the police action, stating that Ali had been under investigation since the violence broke out.
"He was on the radar of the Sambhal police since November 24 and that was why we picked him up for interrogation last year. Due to a lack of proper evidence, we had to release him, and since then, we have been gathering more evidence. Today, he has been arrested," he told The Indian Express.
Meanwhile, Tahir Ali reiterated that his brother had been deliberately targeted.
"Two policemen came to our residence around 11.30 am today. They said that fresh statements of Zafar Ali have to be recorded regarding the violence, and they took him to the local Kotwali police station," he alleged.
Zafar Ali, who had previously stated that he witnessed police firing on protesters, was initially detained on November 25 but released after questioning.
He was not named in the original FIR. However, on Sunday, Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Bishnoi announced that Ali had now been arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy.
So far, 79 people, including three women, have been arrested in connection with the violence. A total of 130 bail applications have been filed in the Chandausi court in Sambhal, but none have been granted. Zafar Ali is the first member of the mosque committee to be taken into custody.
His arrest has further intensified tensions, with rights activists questioning the timing and legality of the move. Investigations into the incident and the broader dispute over the mosque continue.
The 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid has been at the center of growing tensions since a petition claimed that it was built on the site of an ancient Hindu temple.
The situation escalated in November 2024 when a court-appointed advocate commissioner conducted a survey of the mosque, triggering protests. The survey was halted midway on November 19 due to resistance from local residents.
Violence erupted on November 24, following a speech by Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, who was later accused of inciting the unrest. During the clashes, four Muslim men were killed, with their families alleging that they were shot by the police. Authorities, however, denied these claims, stating that law enforcement only used tear gas, batons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment