Sambhal,

23 March (HS): The local police's Special Investigation Team detained Zafar

Ali, the president of the Shahi Jama Masjid, to record his testimony in

connection with the November 24 violence case. The Mughal-era mosque here has

been the center of a significant controversy after a petition claimed it was

the location of an old Hindu temple.

When

asked if the mosque president had been detained, Sambhal Kotwali in-charge Anuj

Kumar Tomar said the SIT had brought him into custody for statement recording. When

questioned if the detention was linked to the November 24 incident, he verified

that Ali was detained for interrogation in the same case.

Sambhal

has been tense since violence erupted on November 24 of last year after

protests against a court-ordered mosque survey.

Four individuals were killed, and dozens others, including police

officers, were injured in the violence.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi