The police have displayed posters featuring 74 suspects involved in the November 24 violence that erupted during the disputed survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, seeking assistance from locals in locating them, officials said on February 14. The images, captured from CCTV footage, have been put up at several locations to aid in identifying the accused, they added. Authorities believe the mastermind behind the violence is Shariq Satha, who is currently in Dubai. The police have arrested 76 individuals, while several others are believed to be hiding in the Delhi-NCR region.
Speaking to reporters, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra stated, “The suspects shown in the CCTV footage were directly involved in the violence. Their identities are still being verified, which is why posters have been displayed to seek the public’s help in identifying them.” He further mentioned that individuals providing reliable information leading to the identification of these 74 suspects would be rewarded with a cash prize.
The posters have been strategically placed not only in the urban areas of Sambhal but also at key public locations to ensure maximum visibility, he added.
Over 150 mobile numbers have been flagged as suspicious in connection with the violence. In addition to surveillance, the police have gathered information about these numbers from various mobile service providers. Authorities believe that outsiders may have been brought in to instigate the violence.
SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi stated that photos of other accused individuals will also be displayed at public locations. The violence in Sambhal erupted during the disputed survey of Jama Masjid, resulting in the deaths of four people and leaving 30 officers and policemen injured. The police have filed seven FIRs, while the relatives of the deceased have filed four. Additionally, an FIR has been filed by the family of an injured person.
To investigate all 12 FIRs, an SIT has been formed. The mastermind behind the violence is identified as Shariq Satha, an international auto lifter based in Dubai. So far, the police have arrested 76 accused individuals, including his two associates, Mulla Afroz and Waris. Following the violence, over a thousand homes have been locked, and many of the accused are reportedly hiding in the NCR with their relatives.
Police teams are actively working in Delhi as well, having received several anonymous letters containing information about those involved in the violence, including details about outsiders. Based on these letters, the police have gathered further information on several of the accused.
