NEW DELHI — Sambhal Chief Judicial Magistrate Vibhanshu Sudheer, who earlier this month ordered the registration of a case against several police officials in connection with the shooting of a Muslim man during the 2024 Sambhal violence, has been transferred by the Allahabad High Court.
Justice Sudheer has been posted to Sultanpur as a civil judge (senior division). He has been replaced by Aditya Singh, who was earlier serving as civil judge (senior division) in Chandausi, Sambhal district. Singh was the judge who had passed the order directing a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, The Indian Express reported.
Justice Sudheer had ordered the registration of a first information report (FIR) against former Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary, Kotwali in-charge Anuj Tomar, and 15 to 20 unidentified police personnel. The case relates to the shooting and injury of a man named Alam during unrest in Sambhal in November 2024.
Alam sustained gunshot wounds during clashes between police and members of the Muslim community that erupted during the second Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The survey followed a petition filed by a Supreme Court lawyer claiming that the 16th-century mosque was built on the site of a former Hindu temple.
According to Alam’s father, Yameen, his son was selling biscuits and snacks near the mosque premises when the violence broke out. He alleged that Alam was shot by police with the intention to kill.
The violence left at least five young men dead and dozens injured, amid incidents of arson and stone-pelting.
Earlier this month, Justice Sudheer allowed an application filed by Yameen seeking the registration of a case against the police officials allegedly responsible for firing at his son. While hearing the matter, the magistrate observed that it was evident Alam had been hit by gunshots and that the identity of the shooter required investigation. He noted that since attempted murder is a serious offence, it was unlikely that the victim would falsely implicate someone while shielding the actual attacker.
Following Justice Sudheer’s transfer, a group of lawyers in Sambhal held demonstrations on Wednesday, protesting what they described as an arbitrary transfer.
