Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: Aditya Singh has been appointed as the new Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Sambhal, replacing Vibhaanshu Sudhir, who served in the post for only three months. The Allahabad High Court recently issued transfer orders for several judicial officers, including changes in the CJM positions at Sambhal and Sitapur.
Vibhaanshu Sudhir had gained attention for ordering the filing of reports against 20 police personnel, including ASP Anuj Chaudhary, in connection with the Sambhal violence case. Aditya Singh, who now assumes the CJM position, had previously issued the order for the Sambhal mosque survey.
Background of Aditya Singh
Currently serving as Civil Judge (Senior Division) at the Chandusi Court in Sambhal, Aditya Singh also handled responsibilities at the MP-MLA Fast Track Court. Born on 11 November 1988 in Muzaffarnagar to Raj Singh, he completed his local schooling and passed matriculation in 2003. He subsequently completed his intermediate in 2005, a BA in 2008, and an LLB in 2011, passing all examinations in first division.
After passing the LLM examination in 2014 (second division), Aditya Singh chose a career in the judiciary. He was appointed as a Judicial Magistrate in Saharanpur on 14 June 2018. He also completed the Management Development Program for Judicial Officers at IIPA, New Delhi.
On 29 January 2019, he was promoted to Civil Judge, Junior Division, in Saharanpur. On 5 July 2022, he was transferred as Civil Judge in Chandpur, Bijnor, and on 21 November 2023, he was appointed Civil Judge, Senior Division, at Chandusi, Sambhal.
Key Orders: Sambhal Mosque Survey
While serving as Civil Judge (Senior Division), Aditya Singh issued a significant order on 19 November 2024 concerning the Sadar Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, which was claimed to have been a Harihar temple in the past. The case was filed by Mahant Rishi Raj Giri of Kaila Devi, who requested a court commissioner to conduct a survey. The court accepted the petition and directed the commissioner to submit the report by 29 November 2024.
On the evening of 19 November 2024, a survey team visited the mosque, leading to unrest among the local Muslim community, who had gathered on rooftops and around the site. Administration had to remove Mahant Rishi Raj from the location. The visit on 24 November escalated into violence, resulting in four deaths and injuries to several police personnel.
The matter traces back to 19 November 2024, when Mahant Trashiraj Giri, represented by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, approached the Civil Court claiming the site of the Jama Masjid was historically a Harihar temple. Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh issued the order allowing the survey to proceed.