Supreme Court Grants Bail to Three Accused in Sambhal Violence Case
The top court ruled that the accused cannot be kept in jail indefinitely while trial is pending, as police investigation has been completed and chargesheet filed.
Three men accused in the Sambhal violence case have been granted bail by the Supreme Court of India. The incident occurred during a survey of a disputed religious site in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where communal tensions erupted in February 2024.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice R Mahadevan, ordered the release of Danish, Faizan, and Nazir on bail. The court stated that the accused cannot be kept behind bars for an extended period without conviction. The specific conditions for their release will be determined by the lower court.
The three men had previously been denied bail by both the trial court and the Allahabad High Court, which led them to approach the Supreme Court as their final option.
The apex court’s decision was based on the fact that the Uttar Pradesh police have completed their investigation and filed a chargesheet in the case. The judges emphasized a fundamental principle of criminal justice: that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Since the charges against them have not been established in court, keeping them imprisoned indefinitely would be unjust.
Background of the Sambhal Incident
The violence in Sambhal stemmed from a contentious dispute over a historic mosque in the area. A petition was filed in court claiming that the structure was originally a Hindu temple. Acting on this petition, the Allahabad High Court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the mosque.
On February 21, 2024, when the ASI team arrived to carry out the survey, communal clashes broke out in the city. According to the Muslim community representatives, the survey team arrived early in the morning without prior notice to the mosque committee. Local residents attempted to prevent the survey, which resulted in violent confrontations.
Following the incident, police registered FIRs against more than 125 named individuals and approximately 500 unidentified persons. A total of 32 people were arrested in connection with the violence.
The Supreme Court’s bail order reinforces the constitutional right to liberty and the principle that bail should not be denied merely on the basis of allegations when investigation is complete and trial may take considerable time.
