Shahi Jama Masjid Committee Chief Arrested Over Sambhal Violence

Zafar Ali's detention follows months of investigation into the November 2024 unrest tied to a court-ordered ASI survey of the mosque.

The Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Zafar Ali, head of the Shahi Jama Masjid committee, in connection with the November 24 Sambhal violence.
The unrest was triggered during an ASI survey of the mosque, prompted by claims it was built on a demolished Hindu temple.
The violence resulted in four deaths and over 30 injuries, including security personnel, and involved stone-pelting, gunfire, and vehicle torching.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a 4,000-page chargesheet naming 159 accused, including local political figures, and noting the recovery of foreign-manufactured weapons.
A judicial commission continues to investigate whether the violence was spontaneous or premeditated, as political tensions and security measures remain heightened in the region.