The next hearing is now scheduled for April 2, leaving the Muslim community leader in jail as festivities approach.
Team Clarion
SAMBHAL — A district court in Sambhal has rejected the bail application of Zafar Ali, president of the Shahi Jama Masjid, ensuring he will remain behind bars during the upcoming Eid celebrations. The decision, delivered on Thursday, March 27, comes amid a contentious legal battle following his arrest over the violent clashes that rocked the town in November 2024.
The next hearing is now scheduled for April 2, leaving the Muslim community leader in jail as festivities approach.
Zafar Ali, a prominent advocate and head of the mosque’s committee, was detained by police on March 23 in connection with the Sambhal violence case. The arrest followed allegations of inciting unrest, damaging public property, and spreading false narratives — charges that have sparked outrage among his supporters. On March 24, the Civil Judge Senior Division of the District Court in Chandausi, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Aditya Singh, dismissed his initial bail plea, setting the stage for Thursday’s hearing.
Additional District Government Advocate Hariyom Prakash Saini, who argued against the bail, told the court that Zafar Ali’s actions warranted severe punishment. “He is accused of gathering a crowd without reason, creating chaos, damaging government property, burning a police vehicle, and making up false stories,” Saini said during the proceedings. “The punishment for such crimes can be as serious as the death penalty, and we urged the court to deny his interim bail.”
The court agreed, rejecting the plea for interim release. Zafar Ali’s legal team had pleaded for leniency, highlighting his role as both a lawyer and the mosque’s leader. “We asked the court to consider granting him interim bail until the case diary is submitted,” said Vinod Kumar Singh, an advocate representing Zafar Ali. “He is a respected figure in our community, and this arrest has caused a lot of distress.”
However, government lawyer Rahul Dixit accused the defence of veering off course during the hearing. “They focused less on the legal merits of the interim application and more on emotional appeals,” Dixit remarked. “They tried to sway the court by saying things like, ‘You’re an officer, you can grant bail.’ I objected and insisted we stick to the legal process, point by point.”
ADJ Court Judge Nirbhaya Narayan Rai, overseeing the case, had earlier set March 27 as the deadline for submitting additional evidence, including a CD related to the investigation. After reviewing the arguments on Thursday, the judge scheduled the next hearing for April 2, when Zafar Ali’s regular bail application will be considered.
The rejection has deepened tensions in Sambhal, a town still reeling from the November violence that saw clashes between locals and authorities. Zafar Ali’s arrest has been a flashpoint, with many in the Muslim community viewing it as an attack on their leadership. “This is unjust,” said Mohammad Asif, a local resident and supporter of Zafar Ali. “He was only speaking up for us, and now he’ll be in jail for Eid. It feels like our voices are being silenced.”
The prosecution, however, remains steadfast. Saini reiterated the gravity of the charges, pointing to the destruction allegedly caused under Zafar Ali’s influence. “This isn’t about his position or the festival—it’s about accountability for breaking the law,” he said.
