On November 24, three Muslim men lost their lives in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, during a violent clash between a mob opposing the survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid and the police.

While local Muslim residents alleged that the deaths were due to police firing, the administration suggested that the fatalities occurred amidst crossfire as the mob attacked the police with stones and gunfire.

According to Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, the deceased were identified as Naeem, Noman, and Bilal, news agency IANS reported.

“Three persons namely Naeem, Bilal, and Noman died during the clash. Around 20 to 22 cops including officials (CO Sambhal, PRO to SP Sambhal, one SDM) sustained injuries while others received splinter injuries). Moreover, 15 persons have been detained,” Singh said.

Tensions flared on Sunday morning as a team of surveyors, led by a court-appointed advocate commissioner and accompanied by police and local officials, arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Chandausi to conduct a survey.

The situation turned volatile as visuals showed people pelting stones and throwing slippers at the survey team. The area has been under heavy police deployment for several days, with drones and officials closely monitoring the situation.

Singh stated that the police only employed tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse the crowd and secure the survey team.

"Police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control," he said.

He said that the mob had pelted stones from multiple directions, leaving 15-20 police personnel injured. Among them, a public relations officer of the district police sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, a deputy collector suffered a fractured foot, and a police circle officer was hit by shrapnel.

The violence also led to the torching of several vehicles, including three to four cars and a few motorbikes, Singh informed.

Fifteen individuals, including two women, were detained for allegedly pelting stones at the police from rooftops. Authorities have begun identifying those involved using CCTV and drone footage and plan to invoke the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against the accused.

Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi claimed the violence was premeditated, asserting that the mob’s intent was to disrupt the survey.

"The survey was on peacefully. But protesters gathered and pelted stones at police for 10 to 15 seconds. Police carried out a baton charge and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the mob. Strict action will be taken against people who take the law into their own hands. Section 163 earlier known as Section 144 has been imposed," Bishnoi said.

The survey, ordered by the court on November 14, was in response to a petition filed by Hindu petitioners claiming that the mosque, built during Emperor Babur’s reign, was originally a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Kalki, an avatar of Vishnu. The Masjid is also recognized as a "historic monument" on the official Sambhal district website.

According to Vishnu Shankar Jain, a lawyer and son of chief plaintiff Hari Shankar Jain, Emperor Babur partially demolished the Hari Hari temple in 1529 and attempted to convert it into a mosque. This claim forms the basis of the ongoing legal dispute that led to the court-ordered survey.

After an initial survey was hurriedly conducted following the court order, the team returned on November 24 for further photography and videography.