Sambhal Police Approaches Allahabad High Court Over CJM's FIR Directive
In a significant legal development, the Sambhal Police has officially moved the Allahabad High Court to challenge a January 9 order issued by then Chief Judicial Magistrate Vibhanshu Sudhir. The contentious directive had mandated the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against twelve police personnel in connection with alleged police firing during violent incidents that erupted in Sambhal on November 24, 2024.
Separate Petition Filed by Former Circle Officer
Adding another layer to the case, a separate petition was filed in the High Court by then Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary. Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishan Kant Bishnoi confirmed the legal action, stating, "A revision petition has been filed challenging the January 9 order passed by CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir." The police are seeking to have the magistrate's directive set aside entirely.
Background: The Complaint That Triggered the Order
The CJM's original order stemmed from a formal complaint lodged by Mohd Yameen, a resident of Khaggu Sarai. Yameen alleged that his son, Mohd Alam, was shot by police personnel while attempting to flee the scene of violence near the historic Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. This incident occurred during the second round of a court-ordered survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The mosque itself, constructed during the reign of Emperor Babur, is at the center of a longstanding dispute, with claims suggesting it was built after the demolition of a pre-existing temple structure.
According to the complainant's account, Alam had left home that morning to sell biscuits when a crowd gathered during the official ASI survey. It was at this juncture that police reportedly opened fire. Yameen alleged that his son sustained three bullet injuries, received initial treatment in hiding, and was later transported to Meerut for surgery. The broader incident resulted in four fatalities and injuries to at least a dozen other individuals.
Judicial and Administrative Fallout
After reviewing the plea, CJM Sudhir directed the police to register an FIR against the twelve named officers. Following this order, CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir was transferred to Sultanpur, where he now serves as Civil Judge (Senior Division). He has been replaced by Deepak Kumar Jaiswal, the former CJM of Kaushambi.
Mohd Alam, who was subsequently arrested in connection with the violence, had been incarcerated since the November incident. In a related development, the Allahabad High Court granted him bail earlier this week.
Identified Officers and Their Current Postings
Of the twelve policemen named in the court's directive, only two have been publicly identified:
- Anuj Chaudhary: The then Circle Officer of Sambhal, who has since been promoted and is now posted as an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Firozabad.
- Anuj Tomar: The then Kotwali in-charge, who is currently posted as the Kotwali in-charge in Chandausi.
The identities of the remaining ten police personnel remain undisclosed as the legal proceedings continue to unfold. The case highlights the complex interplay between law enforcement accountability, judicial oversight, and communal tensions in the region.
