In a swift response to the recent violence in Sambhal, the Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member judicial commission to investigate the incident. The decision was made on Thursday night, hours before the issue came up for in the Supreme Court.

The commission will be chaired by retired High Court Judge DK Arora, with retired IAS officer Amit Mohan and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain serving as members. The team has been tasked with examining whether the violence was premeditated or a spontaneous occurrence.

The inquiry will also delve into the role of individuals or groups suspected of instigating the unrest. In addition, the commission will scrutinise the actions taken by the police and local administration during and after the incident.

The judicial panel has been directed to submit its findings within two months from the date of the notification, and will seek to uncover the reasons behind the violence. Should an extension to this period be required, it will need approval from the state government. Alongside identifying the causes of the violence, the commission will provide recommendations to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

In a notification issued on November 28, the Governor highlighted the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter. This will ensure the public’s trust in the judicial process and serve the greater interest of justice.

The inquiry is set to explore multiple facets of the incident, including the preparedness of local law enforcement and administrative bodies in handling the situation.

Tensions in Sambhal had been mounting since November 19, when a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple had once stood at the same location. On November 24, the protests escalated, leading to stone pelting, arson, and violent clashes with security forces. The outcome of this inquiry is anticipated to bring clarity and aid in maintaining peace in the area moving forward, as well as provide crucial recommendations for the future.

Meanwhile, Friday prayers at the mosque concluded peacefully, with no reports of disturbances from any part of Uttar Pradesh. Extensive security arrangements ensured calm, marking a significant moment after last week’s violence in the region. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Moradabad Range, Muniraj, was present in Sambhal to oversee the situation. Police personnel monitored the area from rooftops to preempt any disruptions during the Friday prayers. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak assured strict enforcement of law and order.

“The government respects the directives of the Supreme Court. A fair investigation will be conducted, and anyone found guilty of disturbing the peace will face stern action,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya criticised the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing it of fueling unrest. “We will not tolerate any attempt to disrupt harmony. If SP continues its tactics, it will lead to their downfall,” he remarked.

The Friday prayers at the Shahi Jama Masjid saw participation from prominent local leaders, including Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Birk’s father and community leader Zafar Ali. Ali emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony. “We are committed to ensuring peace so that prayers can be offered without fear,” he said. This marked the first Friday prayer since the violent clashes on November 24, which erupted following a court-ordered survey of the mosque. The government’s prompt action, coupled with strict judicial oversight, is expected to ease tensions and pave the way for a fair resolution of the dispute.