Sambhal, 06 Aug (HS): A charge

has been filed against the chairman of the Shahi Jama Masjid Management

Committee and many others for allegedly leading a celebration parade in Sambhal

following his release from jail, police said here on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Sub-Inspector Ashish Tomar filed a

FIR at the Sambhal Kotwali police station against Zafar Ali, chairman of the

Shahi Jama Masjid Management Committee, Sarfaraz, Tahir, Haider, and 50 to 60

unidentified people for allegedly violating prohibitory orders, according to a

police statement. Ali was imprisoned in connection with the violence that

erupted during the Jama Masjid survey in this Uttar Pradesh area the previous

year. According to the police statement, he was freed from Moradabad prison on

August 1.

Following Ali's release, a 40-kilometer

roadshow was organised from Moradabad to Sambhal. Several greeting festivities, including

flower showers on the convoy, were staged along the route. Police took suo moto cognizance of recordings

of the parade that went viral on social media sites and filed legal action

against individuals participating. On November 24, last year, violence broke

out during a survey of the Mughal-era mosque, killing four people and injuring

29 police officers. Police have arrested Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ziaur Rahman

Barq and Ali in connection with the violence, as well as filed a FIR against

2,750 unidentified individuals..

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi