Zafar Ali, a prominent lawyer and the Sadar Chief of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday in connection with the 2024 protests against the survey of the mosque and the police violence that followed.
Before his arrest, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the local police took Zafar Ali into custody to record his statement regarding the case.
The police claimed that Zafar Ali was among the first to receive information about the official survey scheduled in Sambhal. On 19 November last year, he was allegedly informed in advance about the survey, after which local Muslims gathered to protest, claims police.
Advocate Mohammad Tahir, elder brother of Zafar Ali, said to reporters: “He (Zafar Ali) was supposed to appear before the commission tomorrow to give his statement, but the police want to prevent him from doing so. However, he will testify exactly as he stated in the press conference. As of now, we have not spoken to him, but from what I have learned, he is being arrested. Let them proceed; no issue…”
Advocate Shakeel Ahmad, a lawyer said to IANS news agency: “Zafar Ali has been officially charged and is now being taken to Chandausi. We will apply for bail after the medical examination, and he will be granted bail. The police administration has wrongfully arrested an innocent person. They had no authority to arrest him…”
According to the FIR accessed by Maktoob, Zafar Ali was arrested based on a complaint filed by Jitendra Deepak Rathi, a senior divisional official of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Rathi alleged that local Muslims protested and attacked the VHP team after they arrived in Sambhal following a survey team’s visit.
Ali was booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 191(2), 191(3), 190, 221, 132, 125, 324(5), 196, 223(b), and 326(F). He was also charged under Section 3 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (Indian Evidence Act), 2023 and Section 5 of the Sarvajanik Sampatti Nuksan Nivaran Adhiniyam (Public Property Damage Prevention Act), 1984.
The arrest comes a month after UP Police’s Special Investigation Team submitted chargesheets in six cases related to the November 24 protest against the mosque survey, totaling over 4,400 pages.
On November 24 last year, the town of Sambhal witnessed intense violence when an ASI team arrived to survey the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, accompanied by a Hindutva mob chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” As local Muslims gathered outside the mosque and tensions escalated, police resorted to force and opened fire on the protesters. At least five Muslim men were killed in the police violence.
The police, however, called the protesters “rioters” and registered cases in connection with the violence. Locals allege that the cases have been used to target protesters and Muslim residents.
So far, 77 Muslims, including four women, have been arrested for allegedly pelting stones at police from rooftops. The police have registered eight FIRs in connection with the incident.
Targeted for standing against police killings
Many believe the administration has once again resorted to targeting prominent Muslim figures who have been fighting against injustice and violence.
Zafar Ali was among the first to speak out against police killings in Sambhal.
Last year, He was briefly detained by Uttar Pradesh police immediately after a press conference where he accused senior district officials of orchestrating the firing on Muslim youth during recent protests. The press conference took place a day after the police killings.
During the press briefing, Zafar Ali detailed the events leading to the violence, which claimed five lives. He alleged that he witnessed the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Superintendent of Police (SP), and District Magistrate (DM) discussing firing orders against protesters.
He also refuted claims that the protesters initiated the violence.
“I did not see any firing from the public. It was the police who were shooting. I even saw them using desi katta (country-made guns),” he said.
Ali claimed that the unrest could have been avoided if the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Circle Officer (CO) had addressed public concerns transparently. Instead, he accused the CO of hurling abuses, ordering a lathi charge, and threatening to shoot protesters.
“The mob became uncontrollable because they thought excavation was underway. Despite our appeals for calm and announcements clarifying the situation, the administration’s mishandling and lack of communication worsened the chaos,” he added.
Ali also accused local authorities of spreading panic and failing to provide leadership during the crisis.
“The DIG, SP, and DM were deliberating on issuing firing orders when I was present. I appealed to the people to go home and successfully dispersed 75% of the crowd, but the police actions were unprovoked and brutal,” he said.
“He held a press conference a day after the violence and said he witnessed the killings. We all knew he would be arrested,” said Nadeem, a Sambhal resident.
“Many people were present during the arrest. We are all agitated,” he added.
Another resident, Shahid Naseem, said Ali is not just the mosque committee president but also a lawyer. “They fear he will fight for justice,” he said.
 of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday in connection with the 2024 protests against the survey of the mosque and the police violence that followed.){kind=link}