In a significant breakthrough in the Sambhal violence case, the Uttar Pradesh police have dismantled the narrative propagated by Islamist groups regarding the deaths of four men during the November 24 protests. On January 19, police revealed that two of the deceased had been shot not by the authorities but by Mulla Afroz, a member of the infamous Sharik Satha gang.
The police have consistently refuted claims that they fired at protesters. On the day of the violence, they deployed tear gas shells to manage the situation, contrary to accusations from Islamists who alleged deliberate targeting of their community. The protests arose during a court-mandated survey at the contested Shahi Jama Masjid site, where the mob turned violent, pelting stones and targeting police officers.
Islamists had alleged that police shot four individuals in an effort to disperse the crowd. However, Superintendent of Police Shrishchandra clarified that investigations revealed the deaths of Bilal and Ayaan were caused by bullets fired by Mulla Afroz. The police have recovered a 32-bore pistol, cartridges, and additional weapons from the accused, along with looted police equipment, including 15 blank cartridges and three charger clips.
“During the violence, Mulla Afroz, along with his associates, opened fire, targeting police officers,” Shrishchandra said. “In the chaos, some bullets hit his associates and others in the crowd. Bilal and Ayaan succumbed to these injuries.” He added that Afroz’s gang is involved in smuggling stolen vehicles and arms, with international links to Dawood Ibrahim’s criminal network.
On November 24, 2024, the Sambhal district witnessed unprecedented violence as Islamist mobs gathered near the contested site. An FIR filed by a sub-inspector stated that 700–800 individuals assembled despite prohibitory orders against congregations of more than five people. Initially raising slogans, the crowd soon turned violent, attacking police officers with stones and other objects. Over 20 police personnel sustained injuries.
Police reports indicate that the mob’s aggression aimed to thwart the ongoing survey at the site. Despite repeated appeals to disperse, the crowd’s hostility escalated, forcing law enforcement to resort to non-lethal measures, including tear gas, to control the situation.
To date, police have arrested 60-70 individuals, including four women, involved in the violence. Efforts are underway to apprehend 89 additional suspects who remain at large. Authorities suspect that Sharik Satha, a notorious gangster linked to over 50 criminal cases across various states, masterminded the violence. Reports suggest he provided funding and weapons for the attack. Currently believed to be in Dubai, Satha’s operatives, including Shahid Akhtar and Usman Hussain, are under investigation for facilitating the delivery of arms and funds.
Adding to the controversy, an Islamist named Muhammad Akil admitted in a YouTube live session with Pakistani cleric Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza that stones were pelted at police and non-Muslims during the protest. Akil justified the violence, citing anger over claims of a temple beneath the 300-year-old mosque. He alleged that the police fired on the mob in retaliation, resulting in deaths.
The violence stemmed from a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, following a petition asserting that the mosque stands on the site of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The survey, conducted under heavy police protection, faced significant resistance from local Islamists. On November 19, the first phase proceeded peacefully, but the second phase on November 24 triggered violent clashes.
In response to the unrest, the Supreme Court stayed the hearing in the District Court, Sambhal, and ordered the sealing of the Advocate Commissioner’s survey report pending further directives from the High Court. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formed a judicial committee to investigate the violence.
