The bail application of the President of the Shahi Jama Masjid Management Committee, implicated in the recent Sambhal violence, is set for hearing on March 27. The individual faces charges related to the unrest that erupted following a court-ordered survey of the mosque premises, reported the India Today.
On November 19, 2024, the Civil Judge (Senior Division) in Sambhal directed an advocate commissioner to conduct a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. This order was issued after a plea claimed that the mosque was constructed over a demolished temple during the Mughal era. The survey led to significant tensions, culminating in violent clashes on November 24, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries among both civilians and law enforcement personnel.
In response to the escalating situation, the Supreme Court intervened on November 29, 2024, instructing the trial court to suspend proceedings related to the mosque survey until January 8, 2025. The apex court emphasized the necessity of maintaining peace and harmony in the region and advised the mosque committee to seek appropriate legal remedies through higher judicial forums.
To investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence, a three-member judicial inquiry commission was established. The panel, led by retired Allahabad High Court judge Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, includes retired IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain. The commission’s mandate is to determine whether the violence was premeditated or spontaneous and to assess the preparedness of local authorities in managing the situation. The commission is expected to submit its findings within two months.
The upcoming bail hearing for the mosque committee president is a critical development in the ongoing legal proceedings. The outcome will likely have significant implications for the broader investigation into the Sambhal violence and the legal discourse surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid.
