Sambhal Violence Case: Court Orders FIR Against Former CO Anuj Chaudhary and Other Officers

Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: The local court has issued a significant order in connection with the violence that erupted during the Shahi Jama Masjid survey in Sambhal on 24 November 2024. Chief Judicial Magistrate Vibhanshu Sudhir directed the registration of an FIR against the then Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary, then Sambhal Kotwal Anuj Tomar, and 15–20 other police personnel following a petition filed by the father of a young man, Alam, who was seriously injured in the firing.

Background of the Incident
On the morning of 24 November 2024, a survey team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid site as part of an ongoing dispute involving the mosque and the nearby Harihar Temple. News of the survey quickly spread, drawing large crowds. Tensions escalated, and protesters began throwing stones at the police team, with residents from nearby houses joining in. In response, senior officials were called, and police used force to control the crowd. During the chaos, firing occurred, resulting in the deaths of four young men and injuries to several police officers and civilians.

Victim’s Ordeal
Alam, 23, from Khaggu Sarai, was selling bakery products when he was caught in the crossfire. He sustained two bullets in his back and one in his arm and was rushed to a local hospital before being transferred to a critical care center in Meerut, where he underwent surgery on 26 November 2024. Despite being a victim, the police named him as an accused under multiple serious sections in Case No. 333/2024 at Sambhal Kotwali, leading him to seek bail from the High Court, which was initially denied.

Court Orders FIR Against Police Officials
After hearing arguments and reviewing petitions, the CJM has now ordered the registration of an FIR against the former CO, Kotwal, and other police officers involved in the incident. The court has also directed Sambhal Kotwali police to initiate an investigation and report back within seven days. This order is being seen as the most significant legal development in the Sambhal violence case to date.

Judicial Inquiry Findings
A government-appointed judicial inquiry committee, headed by former Allahabad High Court Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, submitted a 450-page report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The report concluded that the Sambhal violence was not spontaneous but a premeditated act, involving anti-social elements and the use of illegal and foreign-made weapons. The inquiry also noted that timely police intervention prevented a large-scale massacre and attributed the fatalities to crossfire among the rioters.

Police Response
Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi confirmed that the bullets recovered were 32-bore rounds, which are not standard police issue. While the judicial report has been presented to the Cabinet, the SP stated that the police intend to appeal the court’s order in the High Court regarding Alam’s FIR.