Sambhal violence a calculated conspiracy to obstruct mosque survey: Panel report

The Uttar Pradesh government commissioned a judicial inquiry to determine if an incident of communal violence in Sambhal on November 24, 2024, was the result of a pre-planned conspiracy aimed at obstructing a court-ordered survey of a disputed religious site, or if it was a spontaneous event. The inquiry report, presented in the state assembly, concluded that the violence was indeed a calculated criminal conspiracy.

On November 19, a civil judge ordered a survey of the site of the contested Jama Masjid-Hari Har Mandir complex after Hindu litigants claimed the mosque was built on the ruins of an ancient temple. In response to this order, authorities deployed police to ensure a peaceful execution of the survey. However, on the day of the survey, a large crowd gathered around the mosque, with protesters raising slogans against the exercise and attempting to enter the premises despite police explanations that the survey was being conducted under court orders.

The report noted that the crowd ignored repeated police attempts to persuade them to disperse, resorting to stone-throwing, firing on security personnel, and setting police and private vehicles on fire. This organized mobilization and coordinated effort to disrupt the survey bore all the marks of a well-thought-out plan to challenge court authority and state administration.

The commission also found that police initially deployed crowd-control measures, including warning shots and tear gas, but the situation escalated beyond their control.

Four civilians were killed, and several others were injured in the violence, which also resulted in the death of four civilians. The report documented the circumstances surrounding each death, providing details of where their bodies were found and linking them to criminal cases. The inquiry examined various sources, including statements from police officers, civil administrators, litigants, advocates, members of the Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee, eyewitnesses, and journalists.

Additionally, the report relied on FIRs, medical records, post-mortem reports, forensic findings, and other documentary evidence.

The commission emphasized that the Sambhal violence was not merely an instance of public disorder but a deliberate attempt to obstruct court proceedings. The panel recommended stronger coordination between civil administration and police, robust security planning, enhanced intelligence gathering, and efforts to assess and manage communal sensitivities. The report concluded that the disturbances were the product of careful planning rather than a spontaneous outbreak of communal unrest.

However, the report faced resistance from political parties. The Samajwadi Party, whose local leaders were allegedly involved in the violence, rejected the findings, accusing the government of using the inquiry to polarize public opinion ahead of state elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and state general secretary also criticized the report and alleged that the Samajwadi Party leadership had illegally taken land in Sambhal.

The Uttar Pradesh Congress president expressed disappointment, stating that if the violence was a conspiracy, it also highlighted the failure of intelligence agencies and the state government. The Samajwadi Party spokesperson termed the report as politically motivated, suggesting it was more of a tool for political gain than an impartial investigation.