BAREILLY: The UP government has started “reviewing” the 1978 Sambhal riots following a BJP leader‘s demand to “reopen” the cases. The decision follows CM Yogi Adityanath‘s mention of the riots during the December 2024 legislative session, which sparked renewed efforts to revisit the violence. While official figures of the death toll from the riots are not available, the UP chief minister has said that 184 Hindus were killed in the violence.
On December 16, a day after the Sambhal administration reopened an “ancient temple” in Sambhal, Adityanath criticised Congress and other parties, questioning the “lack of justice for the victims of the 1978 Sambhal massacre, even 46 years after the incident”.
Studying on what basis Sambhal accused were acquitted: Official
Why have those responsible for the massacre in Sambhal not been punished to this day? CM Adityanath said at an event in Lucknow recently.
Sambhal SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said, “On Dec 17, MLC Shrichand Sharma wrote a letter under Rule 115, prompting a report on the riots. Information is being compiled and will be sent to govt.”
Sambhal district magistrate Rajender Pensiya was quoted in Indian Express, saying, “Details requested by govt are being collected”. He said authorities are now collecting data on the riots, “including the causes, fatalities and court proceedings”.
The riots, among the worst in the region, resulted in several deaths and widespread destruction. Govt initiated the process after MLC Shrichand Sharma sought details of the riots, prompting deputy secretary (home) Satendra Pratap Singh to issue a letter to Sambhal officials, directing them to take “appropriate action” on the matter, an official posted in Sambhal said.
During his address, he said 184 people were killed in the violence, and their houses and shops were forcibly seized. He demanded that properties that were allegedly wrongfully acquired from the victims be returned to them. Sharma also sought clarification on actions taken against those responsible for the violence.
“We are gathering details of the cases registered during the violence and their current status from court and police records. From court records, we are also examining the basis on which accused were acquitted,” said an officer.
However, Moradabad divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Singh clarified the current status, saying, “No reinvestigation has been ordered regarding the 1978 violence in Sambhal. Since Sambhal was a part of Moradabad district at the time, the records of those cases are with the administration here.”
Sources said directives were issued to Moradabad prosecution department and Sambhal police to compile information about cases registered during the violence. Sources added police, in coordination with district administration, is also investigating those who allegedly acquired the properties of the victims.
Singh assured that “any land disputes raised by survivors would be addressed legally”, adding, “If any land-related dispute arises from those who were forced to leave Sambhal after the 1978 violence, the matter will be resolved according to law.”
