Families of the accused are hopeful of welcoming them back home soon
SAMBHAL – The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted bail to 20 people accused in one case related to last year’s violence at Shahi Jama Masjid in the Uttar Pradesh city of Sambhal. This is seen as a big relief for the accused, but all of them are still in Moradabad jail, as they have not received bail in the other cases.
Violence broke out on 24 November 2024 during the second survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, after some Hindu groups claimed it was once a Harihar temple. The court had ordered a survey, and when the team arrived for the second time, violence erupted. Five people lost their lives, several were injured, and vehicles were set on fire.
In the aftermath, the police arrested 96 people, including Zafar Ali, the head of the mosque committee. So far, only one person has been released from jail. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed 12 FIRs and submitted charge sheets in all the cases.
Samajwadi Party MP Zia ur Rahman Barq is also among the accused. The SIT has filed a 1,200-page chargesheet in the MP-MLA Court of Chandausi, naming 21 people, including the MP. Earlier, a 3,000-page chargesheet was submitted, alleging that local activist Shariq Satha played a key role in the violence, and that the MP helped protect him.
Speaking on the issue, a senior lawyer involved in the case said, “The court has granted bail in one case under Section 67, but the accused will remain in jail until they get bail in all the other cases.”
Families of the accused are hopeful. One family member said, “We are thankful that the court has granted bail in one case. We now hope they will come home soon.”
