Head of Sambhal's Jama Masjid Management Committee, others booked for 'violating prohibitory orders'

Sambhal (UP): A case has been registered against the chairman of the Shahi Jama Masjid Management Committee and several others for allegedly taking out a celebratory procession in Sambhal following his release from jail, police said here on Wednesday. An FIR was lodged at the Sambhal Kotwali police station on Tuesday on a complaint from Sub-Inspector Ashish Tomar against Zafar Ali, the chairman of the Shahi Jama Masjid Management Committee, along with Sarfaraz, Tahir, Haider and 50 to 60 unidentified people for allegedly violating prohibitory orders, a police statement said. Ali was in jail in connection with the violence that occurred during the survey of the Jama Masjid in this Uttar Pradesh district last year. He was released from the Moradabad jail on August 1, the police statement said.

Following Ali's release, a 40-km roadshow was taken out from Moradabad to Sambhal. Several events to welcome him, including flower showers on the convoy, were held along the route. Police took suo-motu cognisance of videos of the procession that went viral on social media platforms and initiated legal proceedings against those involved. Violence erupted during the survey of the Mughal-era mosque on November 24 last year, resulting in the death of four persons and injuries to 29 police personnel. Police booked Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and Ali in connection with the violence, besides lodging an FIR against 2,750 unidentified people.