Sambhal Court Orders FIR Against Police Officers Over Mosque Violence Shooting

In a major development, a district court in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal has ordered the registration of a criminal case against senior police officers in connection with the alleged shooting of a young Muslim man during violence linked to the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.

Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Vibhanshu Sudhir, in an order dated January 9, 2026, directed the Sambhal Kotwali police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against then Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary, now posted as Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) in Firozabad, then Kotwali Inspector Anuj Tomar, currently serving in Chandausi, and around 10 unidentified police personnel. The court also instructed the police to conduct a fair and detailed investigation into the incident.

The order came after a petition filed by Yameen, a daily wage labourer, on behalf of his 24-year-old son, Kishore Alam. According to the complaint, Alam was not involved in any protest or violence. On the morning of November 24, 2024, he had reportedly left home early to sell rusks, biscuits, or papad on a small cart to support his family.

Yameen stated that around 8:45 am, near the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal’s Mohalla Kot area, police allegedly opened fire as tensions rose during a court-ordered Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the mosque. Alam was reportedly shot twice in the back and once in the hand while trying to flee. Though he survived, he sustained serious injuries.

The family alleged that due to fear of police harassment, Alam was treated discreetly and continues to suffer psychological trauma. According to them, he remains fearful of police uniforms. Yameen also claimed that earlier attempts to lodge a complaint were ignored, which he attributed to their poverty and minority status.

The violence on November 24 broke out amid a dispute over the Shahi Jama Masjid, a nearly 500-year-old structure, following claims that it was built over an ancient temple site. The clashes led to the deaths of five Muslim men and injuries to several others, including police personnel. While the police have denied using lethal force, allegations of excessive action have continued.

Human rights activists and local residents have described the court’s order as a rare step toward accountability in cases involving alleged police excesses during communally sensitive incidents. They have stressed that a young man trying to earn a living should never become a victim of such violence.

The family has expressed cautious hope following the court’s decision. “We want the truth to come out and those responsible for shooting my son to be punished,” Yameen said. Police officials, meanwhile, have indicated that they may challenge the court’s order, citing previous internal inquiries.

The case has drawn wider attention to demands for impartial investigations and justice in incidents involving police action during religious and communal disputes.