SP delegation visits the accused in Moradabad jail amid allegations of police brutality
Team Clarion
MORADABAD – The Samajwadi Party has assured legal aid to all those ‘falsely’ accused in the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal. The assurance came as a delegation led by Dr ST Hasan, former MP and mayor of Moradabad, met the accused at the Moradabad district jail on Monday. The team also included Nawab Jan, party MLA from Thakurdwara, and others.
“We reached the jail at around 12.30 pm and met some of the accused during our stay which lasted around an hour. We had already approached the jail authorities for the meeting and the visit was then scheduled,” Hasan said.
According to a prison official, slips were submitted in advance to facilitate the meeting.
The 20 accused, including three women, alleged police misconduct, wrongful arrest, and physical abuse. They maintained their innocence, claiming they were detained from their homes and subjected to beatings while in police custody. One of the detainees, who is diabetic, expressed concerns about inadequate medical care, while others displayed injuries allegedly inflicted by the police.
The SP leaders were visibly moved by the plight of the accused. Dr Hassan stated that the party would extend legal assistance and ensure that the case is presented before the party’s national president, Akhilesh Yadav.
“The conditions these people are enduring are unacceptable. In the world’s largest democracy, such injustice should not occur,” said MLA Nawab Jan, who plans to submit a detailed report to the party leadership.
Senior Jail Superintendent PP Singh, who spoke with the SP delegation, assured that medical examinations would be conducted for the detainees, and necessary treatment would be provided.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders, including Uttar Pradesh State President Ajay Rai, attempted to visit the affected families and accused detainees in Sambhal but were prevented from proceeding by the district administration. Citing an extended ban on opposition leaders’ visits until December 10, police thwarted the Congress delegation’s plans, leading to a confrontation.
Ajay Rai accused the state government of silencing the opposition to suppress the truth about the Sambhal incident. “The government’s actions make it evident that there is something they do not want to come to light. This is undemocratic and dictatorial,” Rai asserted.
The Congress leaders had planned their visit for December 2, following the conclusion of an earlier restriction on November 30. However, the sudden extension of the ban drew sharp criticism, with Rai stating, “We have the constitutional right to meet the people and address their concerns. The Yogi (Adityanath) government is afraid of being exposed.”
As Congress leaders prepared to proceed with their visit, police attempted to block them, resulting in a scuffle. Following the altercation, Ajay Rai staged a sit-in, denouncing the administration’s tactics and calling for accountability.
The accusations of police misconduct and the suppression of opposition activities highlight growing tensions in Uttar Pradesh. The Samajwadi Party’s pledge to provide legal support and the Congress’s defiance signal increasing political pressure on the state government to ensure transparency and justice in the Sambhal violence case.
The situation remains under scrutiny as opposition parties and civil rights groups demand a fair investigation into the events leading to the arrests and the treatment of the accused in custody.
