In a significant development, a local court in Sambhal has acquitted Farhana Baizat, one of four Muslim women accused in the deadly violence that erupted during a survey of the 500-year-old Shahi Masjid in November last year. The clashes led to the deaths of nearly five people. While police maintain that the casualties resulted from the actions of those opposing the survey, victims’ families claim the police were responsible for the killings.
Farhana Baizat was arrested in late November alongside five others and accused of throwing stones at the police from her rooftop during the unrest. However, after a thorough investigation, the court found no evidence to support the charges against her. On Thursday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted a 1,200-page chargesheet detailing the ongoing probe.
Farhana’s lawyer, Ghani Anwar, welcomed the verdict and commended the fairness of the investigation. He expressed gratitude to the police, including the district’s top officers, for ensuring due process. “The administration conducted an impartial inquiry, and no evidence was found against Farhana,” Anwar stated. Following her acquittal, Farhana was released on a Rs 1 lakh bond.
The violence in Sambhal last November was a significant flashpoint amid tensions over claims that the Shahi Masjid was formerly a Hindu temple. The clashes led to mass arrests, with 79 individuals still in jail and hundreds more being sought by police. Authorities have displayed public posters of those evading arrest as part of an ongoing manhunt.
Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar stated that between 2,500 and 3,000 people participated in the violence on November 24. “We have arrested 79 individuals involved in the unrest, and posters have been put up for the remaining suspects. The investigation is ongoing, and we are committed to bringing those responsible to justice,” he said.
Despite the police efforts, concerns have emerged about alleged harassment of local Muslims. Reports suggest that fear has driven many residents, including women and elderly individuals, to flee the area. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi raised the issue on social media, alleging that Muslims in Sambhal are facing intimidation and oppression. “The situation is so dire that people are being forced to leave their homes,” Owaisi posted on ‘X,’ fueling allegations of forced migration. However, the police dismissed these claims, suggesting that those fleeing could be involved in the violence.
Amid ongoing tensions, the police have made a key arrest in their investigation. Gulam, an associate of Shariq Sata—whom police identify as the mastermind behind the violence—was apprehended on Thursday. Authorities claim Gulam admitted to his role in the riots and a plot to murder Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, a prominent advocate for Hindu temple claims in legal disputes. “Gulam has a history of over 20 serious criminal cases and has confessed to both his role in the Sambhal violence and the conspiracy to assassinate Vishnu Shankar Jain,” police officials stated. His arrest is expected to shed further light on the sequence of events leading to the clashes.
As the investigation unfolds, Sambhal remains on edge, caught in a broader debate over religious tensions, police conduct, and community struggles. While Farhana Baizat’s acquittal is a moment of relief for some, the case continues to shape local and national discourse.
