Sambhal mosque chief taken into custody for interrogation in Nov 24 violence case
PTC News Desk: The Special Investigation Team of Uttar Pradesh police on Sunday has taken Shahi Jama Masjid’s president, Zafar Ali, in custody for interrogation in connection with the violence case that broke out in November last year.
The violence was triggered by court's order of survey that claimed four lives and left several others injured. The Mughal-era mosque here has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple.
According to the police, Ali was the first person to receive information about the survey. He was informed about the survey, after which a crowd gathered, and the survey was conducted for a short time.
The controversy dates back to the claims that city’s Shahi Jama Masjid was constructed after the demolition of the historic Harihar Temple which many people believed was build on the same site. The survey of the mosque was conducted on November 24 last year following court's order which eventually prompted clashes.
Four people were killed while several others were injured in the clashes between the police and the protesters who shouted slogans, and threw stones at the cops while the survey was underway. The protesters set vehicles on fire, after which the police used tear gas to disperse the mob.
- With inputs from agencies
