Bareilly: The head of Sambhal’s 16th century Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid mosque committee was arrested by a special investigation team (SIT) after he was briefly questioned in connection with the violence that erupted during a court-directed survey on Nov 24, which left five locals dead and several police personnel injured. Mosque ‘sadar’ Zafar Ali, 64, was presented before the local magistrate, who sent him to judicial custody for two days, police said.
Ali was not among the named accused in FIRs registered after the unrest, and his arrest is being seen as the most high-profile in the matter so far. Stringent sections of the BNS have now been slapped on Ali. He was arrested under BNS sections 230 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to cause someone’s conviction for a capital offence), which carries penalties including life term or even the death sentence if an innocent person is executed; 231 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to cause someone’s conviction) — an offence punishable by life in jail or a term of seven years or more; 55 (abetment of an offence which is punishable with death or imprisonment for life); along with 54 (abettor present during crime), among others.
SIT in-charge Kuldeep Kumar told TOI: “Ali was taken into custody from his house and brought to the police station for questioning. Thereafter, he was sent to jail… After the violence, he held a press conference at his home where he mentioned witnessing the shooting incident. Based on this evidence, the team continued the investigation.” Sambhal ASP Shrish Chandra also confirmed the development.
A senior officer investigating added that Ali “provoked the mob against police and there is sufficient proof against him”. He added, “Ali tried to mislead the probe with wrong evidence claiming that cops fired upon the mob. We will soon file a chargesheet against him.”
Meanwhile, Ali’s brother Tahir Ali alleged that the arrest was made to prevent him from submitting his testimony before a three-member judicial commission on Monday. The panel was appointed by UP govt to investigate the violence.
“In that press conference, my brother said the victims died in police firing and he saw cops opening fire at the mob. I met him at the police station and he said he stands by his statement against the police and is ready to go to jail for it. Also, he never received any funding. We will fight his case in court and emerge victorious,” Tahir said, adding that “we were trying our best to ease tensions here but it seems officials don’t want things to normalise…”
A day after the violence, Zafar Ali, who is also an advocate, held a press briefing, alleging that “all the victims died in police firing”. He was later accused of “inciting people via social media platforms against the police and seeking donations in the name of the ‘Sambhal violence‘ incident.” Notably, at least 79 people were arrested in the matter and all of them are currently in jail. Sambhal’s Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq was also named as a “key accused”.
Ali’s arrest came in the last week of the holy month of Ramzan. In view of Eid festivities a few days later, security has been intensified with additional police personnel deployed in and around the UP town. Sambhal has been regarded by many as the place where the 10th avatar of Vishnu — Kalki — will be born. The mosque has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple before it was razed.
Bareilly: The head of Sambhal’s 16th century Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid mosque committee was arrested by a special investigation team (SIT) after he was briefly questioned in connection with the violence that erupted during a court-directed survey on Nov 24, which left five locals dead and several police personnel injured. Mosque ‘sadar’ Zafar Ali, 64, was presented before the local magistrate, who sent him to judicial custody for two days, police said.
Ali was not among the named accused in FIRs registered after the unrest, and his arrest is being seen as the most high-profile in the matter so far. Stringent sections of the BNS have now been slapped on Ali. He was arrested under BNS sections 230 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to cause someone’s conviction for a capital offence), which carries penalties including life term or even the death sentence if an innocent person is executed; 231 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to cause someone’s conviction) — an offence punishable by life in jail or a term of seven years or more; 55 (abetment of an offence which is punishable with death or imprisonment for life); along with 54 (abettor present during crime), among others.
SIT in-charge Kuldeep Kumar told TOI: “Ali was taken into custody from his house and brought to the police station for questioning. Thereafter, he was sent to jail… After the violence, he held a press conference at his home where he mentioned witnessing the shooting incident. Based on this evidence, the team continued the investigation.” Sambhal ASP Shrish Chandra also confirmed the development.
A senior officer investigating added that Ali “provoked the mob against police and there is sufficient proof against him”. He added, “Ali tried to mislead the probe with wrong evidence claiming that cops fired upon the mob. We will soon file a chargesheet against him.”
Meanwhile, Ali’s brother Tahir Ali alleged that the arrest was made to prevent him from submitting his testimony before a three-member judicial commission on Monday. The panel was appointed by UP govt to investigate the violence.
“In that press conference, my brother said the victims died in police firing and he saw cops opening fire at the mob. I met him at the police station and he said he stands by his statement against the police and is ready to go to jail for it. Also, he never received any funding. We will fight his case in court and emerge victorious,” Tahir said, adding that “we were trying our best to ease tensions here but it seems officials don’t want things to normalise…”
A day after the violence, Zafar Ali, who is also an advocate, held a press briefing, alleging that “all the victims died in police firing”. He was later accused of “inciting people via social media platforms against the police and seeking donations in the name of the ‘Sambhal violence’ incident.” Notably, at least 79 people were arrested in the matter and all of them are currently in jail. Sambhal’s Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq was also named as a “key accused”.
Ali’s arrest came in the last week of the holy month of Ramzan. In view of Eid festivities a few days later, security has been intensified with additional police personnel deployed in and around the UP town. Sambhal has been regarded by many as the place where the 10th avatar of Vishnu — Kalki — will be born. The mosque has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple before it was razed.
