Prayagraj

The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday stayed the district court’s order directing registration of an FIR against former Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Chaudhary in connection with the violence that erupted during the Sambhal mosque survey in 2024.

Earlier in January, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Sambhal had ordered the registration of an FIR against Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anuj Chaudhary, Inspector Anuj Tomar and several other police personnel. The order was passed in response to allegations that a youth was shot during the clashes.

Shortly after issuing the order, CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir was transferred out of Sambhal.

The violence broke out on November 19, 2024, during a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh. The survey was part of a legal process initiated following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, seeking to ascertain whether the mosque structure was originally a temple.

The situation turned violent as clashes erupted between locals and the police during the survey exercise. At least three people lost their lives, while nearly two dozen others, including police personnel and senior officials, sustained injuries.

Police resorted to the use of tear gas and made repeated appeals to stone pelters in an effort to bring the situation under control.

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In October last year, the Supreme Court granted bail to three accused — Mohammad Danish, Faizan and Nazir — who were arrested for their alleged involvement in the Sambhal violence.