Sambhal violence: Mosque chief held, brother says arrest to prevent testimony before judicial panel
Sambhal, Mar 23 (PTI): Shahi Jama Masjid management committee president Zafar Ali was arrested on Sunday after being questioned in connection with the November 24 violence during a protest against a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era mosque.
Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi told reporters, "Today, Jama Masjid's Zafar Ali has been arrested and sent to jail. He was also detained and questioned late last night before being released."
"He was called again for questioning today. He was arrested after questioning," he added.
A case has been registered against Ali under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 191(2) and 191(3) (rioting), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 230 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence) and 231 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment).
He has also been booked under provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The district and the police administration are on high alert following Ali's arrest.
Bishnoi, Circle Officer (Sambhal) Anuj Chaudhary and Subdivisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra led a foot march with a police contingent.
Police personnel have been deployed in several areas, including the Shahi Jama Masjid, and surveillance is also being conducted through drones to maintain peace.
Ali was earlier taken into custody by the local police's special investigation team (SIT) to record his statement in connection with the case.
His brother, however, alleged that Ali was arrested to prevent him from submitting his testimony before a three-member judicial commission on Monday.
The Uttar Pradesh government set up the panel to investigate the violence in which four people were killed and several injured during protests over the survey. The Mughal-era mosque has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple.
Bishnoi earlier told PTI that Ali had been arrested in connection with the violence without elaborating further.
Earlier in the day, when PTI reached out to Sambhal Kotwali in-charge Anuj Kumar Tomar to ask if Ali had been arrested, he said the mosque management committee president was taken into SIT custody to record his statement.
He had confirmed that the detention was related to the November 24 violence.
Ali's elder brother Tahir Ali alleged that the police "deliberately" sent his brother to jail before the judicial panel could record his testimony.
"Around 11:15 am, an inspector and the investigating officer came to our house, saying Circle Officer (Asmoli) Kuldeep Singh wanted to talk. He had spoken with us last night as well. Zafar (Ali) was supposed to testify before the commission tomorrow (Monday) and that is why they are deliberately sending him to jail," Tahir Ali told reporters.
"Zafar (Ali) has already given his statement in a press conference and he will not retract it. He had clearly said that the police fired shots, and those who died were killed by police bullets," he added.
Asked what Ali had said before being taken away, Tahir Ali told the reporters, "He said, 'No problem, I am ready to go to jail. I will not back down from the truth!'."
Questioned on allegations of funding being received from external sources for the violence, Tahir Ali said, "Not a single penny has been received. We will fight this case in court and emerge victorious."
He also accused the Sambhal administration of deliberately inciting unrest. "The authorities do not want the tension to ease. We are trying to restore peace but all police officers and senior officials here are provoking further discord."
Ali, mosque management committee secretary Masood Farooqui, and advocate and local resident Qasim were scheduled to submit their testimony before the judicial commission on Monday, Tahir Ali said.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
