[Sambhal Stone-Pelting Probe] 3-Member Judicial Commission Formed For Transparent Inquiry

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The commission will be led by retired Allahabad High Court Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, alongside retired IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain.

[Sambhal Stone-Pelting Probe] 3-Member Judicial Commission Formed For Transparent Inquiry

Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 29: Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has established a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission to investigate the stone-pelting incident in Sambhal.

The commission will be led by retired Allahabad High Court Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, alongside retired IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain.

The incident, which occurred on November 24 during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of a Mughal-era mosque, resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left several others, including officials and locals, injured. The violence erupted at the disputed Jama Masjid-Harihar Mandir site, damaging properties and injuring police personnel.

“The commission will investigate the causes and circumstances surrounding the incident and provide recommendations to prevent such occurrences in the future. Considering the nature and context of the inquiry, the Governor has directed that the provisions under subsections (2), (3), (4), and (5) of Section 5 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, will apply. The inquiry must be completed within two months from the notification date, with any extension subject to government approval,”

the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Committee of Management of Jama Masjid in Sambhal has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the local court’s November 19 order for a survey of the mosque.

“The commission will assess whether the November 24 incident was spontaneous or a premeditated act resulting from a criminal conspiracy. It will also review the law and order arrangements made by the District Administration and police during the incident,”

the order noted.

Meanwhile, the Committee of Management of Jama Masjid has petitioned the Supreme Court, challenging the local court’s November 19 order for the mosque survey. The committee argues that all parties should be heard and judicial remedies allowed before surveys are conducted.

Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s bench is set to hear the petition today.

The committee also requested that the survey report be kept sealed and the status quo maintained until a final court decision.