Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has appointed a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission, led by retired Allahabad High Court Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, to investigate the violent stone-pelting incident in Sambhal. The move aims to ensure a transparent and thorough inquiry into the events. The commission will also include retired IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain.
Meanwhile, the Committee of Management of Jama Masjid in Sambhal has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a local court’s November 19 order for a survey of the mosque. A bench led by Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, is set to hear the petition on Friday.
The violence erupted during a survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid on November 24, carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The incident led to the deaths of four people and left several others injured, including police officials and local residents.
The Governor’s order highlights the need for an inquiry in the public interest, given the violence during the survey of the disputed Jama Masjid-Harihar Mandir site in Sambhal. The incident involved injuries to police personnel, loss of life, and property damage.
In light of the severity of the incident, the commission will investigate whether the violence was a planned attack or a spontaneous outburst. It will also examine the effectiveness of the law enforcement and administrative arrangements made by local authorities to maintain order. The commission’s report will address these issues and other relevant aspects related to the incident.
The judicial inquiry will ensure that the circumstances surrounding the incident are fully examined, and the findings will be crucial in determining accountability for the violence.
