Government Argues Police Did Not Fire Bullet in Sambhal Violence Case Involving ASP Anuj Chaudhary

Sambhal, UP: In the ongoing legal proceedings related to the Sambhal violence incident, the Uttar Pradesh government has submitted a strong defense in the Allahabad High Court regarding allegations against then-Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary. The case pertains to a young man, Alam, who was reportedly injured by a police bullet during clashes in Sambhal on November 24, 2024.

Case Background

Alam, the son of Yamin, was returning home with a cart when a protest took place near Jama Masjid. Yamin alleged that Alam was shot by Anuj Chaudhary and other police personnel while trying to escape. Acting on Yamin’s complaint, the CJ Magistrate Court (CJM) had ordered the registration of an FIR against Anuj Chaudhary and 22 other officers.

In response, Anuj Chaudhary challenged the FIR in the Allahabad High Court.

Government’s Argument

During the hearing, Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal argued that forensic analysis conducted at the Agra Forensic Laboratory revealed that the type of bullet recovered from Alam’s body is not used by police firearms. This, the government claims, establishes that the allegations against the police officers are unfounded.

Goyal also contended that the CJM bypassed mandatory procedural safeguards under Section 175 of the BNSS Act, which require two steps before ordering an investigation against a public servant:

1. Obtaining a report from a senior officer, and
2. Considering the public servant’s version of events.

The hearing before Justice Samit Gopal is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, during which the defense is expected to present further arguments.

Current Status

The case highlights procedural and forensic questions around police accountability during communal clashes in Sambhal. The High Court will now determine whether proper legal safeguards were followed before registering the FIR against Anuj Chaudhary and the other officers.