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The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sambhal temple-mosque row: Court to hear plea for ban on namaz at disputed site on July 21
A Chandausi court in Sambhal district on Thursday (July 3, 2025) set July 21 to hear a plea seeking ban on offering of namaz at the disputed Shahi Jama Masjid, which is claimed to be Harihar Temple. The petition sought the ban on offering of Islamic prayers citing its 'disputed status'. Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh took on record the plea filed by one Simran Gupta. The dispute had previously reached the Allahabad High Court, where the Muslim side challenged the subordinate court's order for a survey of the mosque premises. On May 19, however, the High Court upheld the trial court's decision and directed that proceedings continue there. The petitioner argued that since the site was deemed disputed by the court, Muslims too should be barred from offering prayers, just as Hindus were restricted from worship. The plea requested that the mosque be sealed and placed under the custody of the Sambhal District Magistrate. Ms. Gupta also sought to be made a petitioner on behalf of the Hindu side. Both matters will come up on July 21. The original suit was filed on November 19, 2023, by eight Hindu petitioners, including advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain. On that day, a court-ordered survey was conducted at the mosque. A second round of survey was carried out on November 24, after which the matter was placed before the Chandausi Civil Court. The last hearing was held on April 28. Advocate Sri Gopal Sharma, representing the Hindu side, told PTI that the High Court's order rejecting the Muslim side plea was submitted in court as part of the record. On the other hand, advocate Qasim Jamal, representing the Shahi Jama Masjid, acknowledged that the opposing side had submitted the High Court's ruling and said the mosque's legal team would abide by whatever order the court issues. Advocate Babu Lal Saxena, who filed the petition seeking a stay on namaz, told PTI that his client Ms. Gupta believes religious activity by any group should be restricted at the disputed site until a final judgment is passed. The case saw violent clashes in Sambhal on November 24, 2024, during the second survey at the mosque site. The unrest led to the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 29 police personnel. Following the violence, police named Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and Shahi Jama Masjid president Zafar Ali in FIRs, along with 2,750 unidentified individuals. To date, 96 people including Zafar Ali and several advocates have been sent to jail in connection with the incident.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Sambhal temple-mosque row: Court to hear plea for namaz ban on July 21
A Chandausi court in Sambhal district on Thursday set July 21 to hear a plea seeking ban on offering of namaz at the disputed Shahi Jama Masjid, which is claimed to be Harihar Temple. The petition sought the ban on offering of Islamic prayers citing its "disputed status". Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh took on record the plea filed by one Simran Gupta. The dispute had previously reached the Allahabad High Court, where the Muslim side challenged the subordinate court's order for a survey of the mosque premises. On May 19, however, the high court upheld the trial court's decision and directed that proceedings continue there. The petitioner argued that since the site was deemed disputed by the court, Muslims too should be barred from offering prayers, just as Hindus were restricted from worship. The plea requested that the mosque be sealed and placed under the custody of the Sambhal District Magistrate. Gupta also sought to be made a petitioner on behalf of the Hindu side. Both matters will come up on July 21. The original suit was filed on November 19, 2023, by eight Hindu petitioners, including advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain. On that day, a court-ordered survey was conducted at the mosque. A second round of survey was carried out on November 24, after which the matter was placed before the Chandausi civil court. The last hearing was held on April 28. Advocate Sri Gopal Sharma, representing the Hindu side, told PTI that the high court's order rejecting the Muslim side plea was submitted in court as part of the record. On the other hand, advocate Qasim Jamal, representing the Shahi Jama Masjid, acknowledged that the opposing side had submitted the High Court's ruling and said the mosque's legal team would abide by whatever order the court issues. Advocate Babu Lal Saxena, who filed the petition seeking a stay on namaz, told PTI that his client Gupta believes religious activity by any group should be restricted at the disputed site until a final judgment is passed. The case saw violent clashes in Sambhal on November 24, 2024, during the second survey at the mosque site. The unrest led to the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 29 police personnel. Following the violence, police named Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and Shahi Jama Masjid president Zafar Ali in FIRs, along with 2,750 unidentified individuals. To date, 96 people including Zafar Ali and several advocates have been sent to jail in connection with the incident.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sambhal violence: Charge sheet details SP MP Barq's conversation with Jama Masjid president
MEERUT The UP Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has named Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and Jama Masjid Committee president Zafar Ali as the main conspirators in the violence that broke out near Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid in November last year. The 1,100-page charge sheet filed in the case highlights a conspiracy to obstruct the lawful survey through mob mobilisation and incitement. According to the charge sheet, the SP MP's personal assistant's father, Rizwan, an electrician at the mosque, also played a pivotal role in assembling the mob. (File Photo) 'The charge sheet details multiple conversations that took place between Barq and Shahi Jama Masjid's president Zafar Ali from November 22 to 24. They conspired to stop the court-ordered survey and were responsible for gathering the crowd on November 24, the day on which widespread violence broke out,' said SP (Sambhal) KK Bishnoi. According to the charge sheet, the SP MP's personal assistant's father, Rizwan, an electrician at the mosque, also played a pivotal role in assembling the mob. Acting on the instructions of Barq, Rizwan made several calls to people from areas around the Jama Masjid and from Sarai Tareen, urging them to gather in large numbers to prevent the survey scheduled for November 24. Rizwan's call detail records (CDRs), reviewed by the police, corroborated this account. Investigation revealed that individuals contacted by Rizwan were also directly involved in orchestrating the violence. Their participation was confirmed through phone conversations and subsequent evidence gathered during the probe. In total, 23 individuals have been named as accused in the charge sheet. Some have been arrested, while others have been served notices under Section 35(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The charge sheet states that Zafar Ali, the mosque committee president, first received information about the impending survey late on November 23. He immediately informed MP Barq, who responded that the survey must not be allowed to proceed and instructed for a crowd to be gathered. Barq held multiple conversations with Rizwan that night, directing him to organise resistance. The next morning, a large crowd assembled, ultimately resulting in violent clashes, it further stated. Zafar Ali is also accused of holding a press conference after the incident and issuing misleading statements about the events and the legality of the survey. Despite multiple rounds of questioning, he failed to provide any substantial evidence and eventually admitted that the MP had instructed the gathering of the crowd. Zafar Ali has been in judicial custody since March 23. List of Accused in charge sheet: MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, Zafar Ali (president, Jama Masjid Committee), Asif, Danish, Muzammil, Subhan, Jamshed Alam, Rafiq Ali, Asim, Abdul Rahman, Rizwan, Haji Rashid, Laddan Khan, Mumtaz, Itrat Hussain, Matahir Hussain, Abdul Mabood Khan, Mohsin, Arish, Gilman, Zahid Ali, Altamash and Muzammil Khan. In addition to Zafar Ali, five other office-bearers of the Jama Masjid Committee have been named as accused. While none of these five have been arrested, they have been served legal notices under Section 35(3). The SIT has recorded statements of 14 key witnesses, including police officers and advocates, who were present during the violence. These testimonies, the charge sheet notes, are critical and provide first-hand accounts of the events as they unfolded. The son of SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood, Suhail Iqbal, who was initially named in the FIR along with 700–800 unidentified individuals, has been given a clean chit by the SIT. Though his presence at the site was confirmed, no active role in instigating or participating in the violence was found. A controversial speech delivered by MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq on November 22 outside the Jama Masjid has been cited as a major trigger in the charge sheet. In his speech, Barq had stated that the mosque's survey was illegal and declared that 'this was a mosque and will remain a mosque.' The SIT argues that this inflammatory statement created a highly sensitive atmosphere, directly contributing to the violence that erupted two days later. The speech has been included as evidence and will be presented in court. Notably, Barq, protected by a high court stay on arrest, was questioned for four hours on April 8 in Delhi. Zafar Ali was arrested in March based on 'emerging evidence' of his involvement. With his bail applications rejected, Ali, also a practicing lawyer, remains in jail.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SIT chargesheet names MP Barq, mosque head in Sambhal violence case
1 2 3 Bareilly: UP Police's special investigation team (SIT) in Sambhal filed a 1,100-page chargesheet on Wednesday naming Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and Jama Masjid's president Zafar Ali among 22 people accused of inciting violence and presenting false evidence during unrest that erupted on Nov 24, 2024 in which five locals died and several police officers were injured during a court-appointed survey of the Mughal-era structure. Sohail Iqbal, son of SP MLA Iqbal Mahmood, was granted a clean chit. Police registered seven FIRs and victims' families filed five more. Chargesheets have been filed in 10 of the 12 cases. One named the MP, the MLA's son, and 700–800 unidentified people, leading to the arrest of the mosque committee president. Sambhal SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said, "We have filed a chargesheet in case no 335/24 and the MP is an accused along with Zafar Ali. Another chargesheet will be filed soon in a separate case. " Barq, protected by a high court stay on arrest, was questioned for four hours on Apr 8 in Delhi. The unrest began after a civil suit was filed on Nov 19, 2024, in the court of civil judge (senior division), Chandausi, alleging Jama Masjid was built over the Hari Har temple. While the second survey was underway on Nov 24, a large crowd gathered, resulting in violence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Clean Warehouses = Safe Workplaces SearchMore Learn More Undo The survey report was submitted on Jan 2. The matter is still pending in court. The mosque, built in 1526 by Babur, is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Protection Act, 1904. In May 2025, Allahabad high court upheld the trial court's decision allowing the survey, ruling that the case does not fall under the Places of Worship Act. Following the violence, internet services were suspended, and schools were shut. Police arrested over 80 people. The SIT served notices to the accused, including Barq in March and Sohail Iqbal in May. Recently, three accused received conditional bail from HC due to lack of clear evidence.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sambhal violence: Another accused arrested; no. of people jailed rises to 85
The total number of people jailed in connection with the violence in Sambhal last year has gone up to 85 with the local police arresting one more accused in the case on Sunday. Among the people arrested are president of the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid's managing committee Zafar Ali, MP Ziab Ur Rehman Barq and MLA Iqbal Mehmood's son Suhail Iqbal. Inspector Amrish Kumar confirmed the arrest and identified the accused as Sher Mohammad from Mohalla Kot Garvi in the Sambhal Kotwali area. Sher Mohammad was allegedly involved in the stone-pelting during the violence that broke out on November 24. 'He was identified using video footage and photographs, and was arrested under Case Number 337/2024 after a warrant was issued by the court,' the officer said. According to police, the Allahabad high court has granted bail to three of the accused in a case, although they are facing four cases each. The violence erupted during the second phase of a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The unrest followed a legal claim made by the Hindu side on November 19 in the Civil Senior Division Court, Chandausi, asserting that the mosque was a Hindu temple. Meanwhile, a local court there on Saturday framed charges against 50 individuals for their alleged involvement in the violent clashes. The trial was now set to commence, with the next hearing scheduled for May 26, it was reported earlier.
