The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) Today (Dec 4) withdrew its plea filed before the Allahabad High Court seeking an independent probe into the alleged police firing and atrocities in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal. The communal clashes took place in Sambhal following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
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Uttar Pradesh: The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has withdrawn its petition from the Allahabad High Court seeking an independent investigation into the alleged police firing and atrocities during the communal clashes in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.
Communal Clashes Sparked by Masjid Survey
The clashes erupted in Sambhal following a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The tensions arose after claims were made that the mosque had been built on the remains of a demolished temple from the Mughal era.
On November 19, a civil court in Sambhal instructed an advocate commissioner to conduct the initial survey of the mosque. This direction was based on a plea by advocate Hari Shankar Jain and seven others, who alleged historical inconsistencies regarding the mosque’s construction.
Judicial Observations and Withdrawal of Plea
A Bench of Justice Ashwani K Mishra and Justice Dr. Gautam Chowdhary observed that the Uttar Pradesh government had already constituted a three-member judicial inquiry committee to investigate the matter. Following this, the court advised the petitioner to withdraw the Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Acting on this recommendation, the APCR withdrew its plea.
The PIL had accused the state machinery and police of failing to prevent the violence, alleging that the authorities were complicit through unlawful actions and inadequate measures during the incident. It further emphasized that-
“most victims of the violence were Muslims”
adding that the majority of those arrested also belonged to the Muslim community.
Violence Erupts Amid Survey Attempts
On November 24, violence escalated when surveyors arrived in Chandausi town for a second survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. This survey followed the initial one conducted days earlier on November 19.
Clashes between protestors and police personnel led to incidents of stone-pelting and vehicle torching, reportedly causing the deaths of four individuals.
However, autopsy reports-
“ruled out police firing as the cause of the deaths”.
Additional Legal Developments
In parallel, another PIL was filed requesting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the communal violence.
This plea was presented before Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Vikas Budhwar, who directed that the matter be placed before the appropriate bench.
Concluding Remarks
The APCR’s withdrawal underscores the complexities surrounding the investigation into the Sambhal clashes.
With the state’s judicial inquiry committee already in place, further legal scrutiny and investigative measures are likely to shape the course of justice.
The allegations of communal bias and administrative complicity add layers of sensitivity to the incident, demanding a fair and transparent process to address the concerns of all parties involved.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Sambhal Violence
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