The Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested Advocate Zafar Ali, head of the Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee, on charges of delivering a provocative speech linked to the communal violence that erupted in Sambhal on November 24. His arrest comes just days before he was scheduled to record his statement before a Judicial Commission in Lucknow on March 24, which was investigating the incident. Authorities claim that Ali’s statements played a significant role in inciting the riots.
According to officials, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) uncovered evidence suggesting Ali’s involvement in the violence, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including police personnel.
The SIT, which has been meticulously probing the case, filed a voluminous 4,000-page chargesheet covering six out of the 12 cases registered in connection with the November 24 riots. The investigation revealed that weapons recovered from the site of the clashes had origins in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and Czechoslovakia, raising concerns about how these arms reached the region.
Following his arrest, Ali underwent a mandatory medical examination before being sent to judicial custody. The police have indicated that further legal proceedings will follow based on the findings of the Special Investigation Team.
ASP Shrishchand confirmed that Ali has been named as an accused in the November 24 riots. Meanwhile, authorities have heightened security in the city, deploying personnel from multiple police stations along with the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Response Force (RRF).
Authorities have also been using drones for surveillance to ensure law and order. Since the November 24 violence, no fresh incidents have been reported, and law enforcement officials have been particularly vigilant during communal and public celebrations. Holi celebrations in the city passed without incident, with both communities participating peacefully. The Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid were also conducted smoothly under the watchful eye of the administration, which took precautions to maintain order.
Ali’s brother, Advocate Tahir Ali, has strongly condemned the arrest, accusing the police of attempting to suppress critical testimony before the judicial commission.
He claimed that Zafar Ali was preparing to testify that police gunfire was responsible for five deaths during the November 24 violence. However, he was arrested before he could appear before the commission. Tahir Ali has vowed that his brother will still provide his statement, even from within jail, and that they will challenge the arrest legally.
The legal team defending Zafar Ali has argued that his arrest is politically motivated and aimed at diverting attention from the alleged excessive use of force by law enforcement officials during the riots. They have called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances of his arrest and the role of the police during the violence.
In addition to Zafar Ali, cases have been registered against MP Zia and Rehman Work Sohail Iqbal for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches that contributed to the unrest.
Jama Masjid renovation, beautification underway
In a separate development, restoration and beautification work at the Jama Masjid is progressing under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The ASI recently completed the whitewashing of the mosque’s exterior as per a High Court directive.
Despite the tensions surrounding Ali’s arrest, religious and cultural activities at the mosque continue without disruption. The local administration remains committed to ensuring communal harmony while maintaining strict law enforcement measures to prevent any potential flare-ups.
