A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in Allahabad High Court seeking a Special Investigation Team to investigate recent communal violence in Sambhal district after a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The petition requests an SIT led by a retired judge, independent review of officials’ actions, and guidelines for future surveys to maintain communal harmony and accountability.
Allahabad: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court requesting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the communal violence that erupted in Sambhal district following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
Filed by Dr. Anand Prakash Tiwari, the petition urges the court to appoint an SIT led by a retired High Court judge to investigate the roles of key officials, including the Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Police (SP), District Magistrate (DM), and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). The plea also recommends forming a committee comprising officers from central investigative agencies, independent of the Uttar Pradesh government, to assess the actions of state officials during the incident and submit a comprehensive report within a set timeframe.
The petitioner has sought the court’s intervention to establish guidelines outlining the roles and responsibilities of district authorities in assisting surveys of religious monuments and sites as ordered by courts. This is seen as a preventive measure to avoid future unrest during such sensitive operations.
The controversy began on November 19, when a Sambhal civil court ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid based on a plea filed by Advocate Hari Shankar Jain and seven others. They claimed the mosque was constructed over a demolished temple during the Mughal era.
Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh appointed Ramesh Raghav as advocate commissioner to conduct the survey and submit a report by November 29.
On November 24, violence erupted in Chandausi town when surveyors attempted a second survey of the mosque. Protestors clashed with police, leading to incidents of stone-pelting and vehicle torching. Four people reportedly died in the chaos, though autopsy reports later ruled out police firing as the cause of death.
The PIL was filed through advocates Imran Ullah and Vineet Vikram, highlighting the need for impartial investigation and accountability. The Allahabad High Court is expected to review the petition and consider the formation of the SIT, along with framing guidelines for handling such surveys in the future.
The case underscores the delicate balance between legal processes and communal harmony, with calls for accountability and clarity in conducting surveys of religious sites to prevent further unrest.
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