On 30th December, it was revealed that the suspected mastermind of Sambhal violence, Sharik Satha, is a member of Dawood Ibrahim’s gang. The connection between Satha and Dawood has been established based on inputs from intelligence agencies.
Furthermore, according to an India TV report, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into Sambhal violence suspects that individuals linked to ISI and Al-Qaeda, residing in the Deepa Sarai and Nakhasa areas of Sambhal, supplied weapons and funding for the violence. These revelations have established a direct link between Sambhal violence and terrorists.
Speaking to the media, Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Bishnoi said that it is still unclear who was behind the violence. The police are yet to reach any definitive conclusion. Investigations into the matter are underway to determine the cause of the violence and identify those responsible for planning it. So far, 50 individuals involved in the violence have been arrested. Furthermore, the police have identified 91 accused in the case who remain at large. The police are preparing to announce rewards for information leading to the arrest of the absconding individuals.
#संभल में 24 नवंबर को हुई हिंसा को लेकर एसपी कृष्ण विश्नोई @Krishan_IPS ने बयान जारी किया है।
— UttarPradesh.ORG News (@WeUttarPradesh) December 30, 2024
हिंसा के कारण: हिंसा के पीछे कौन लोग हैं, यह अभी स्पष्ट नहीं हुआ है। पुलिस अभी किसी निष्कर्ष पर नहीं पहुंची है।
जांच जारी: पुलिस हिंसा के कारणों और इसकी प्लानिंग करने वालों की पहचान के… pic.twitter.com/PwpvyS86Zk
Returning to Sharik, reports suggest that he has over 50 cases registered against him in various states. A few years ago, he reportedly fled to Dubai. Police believe that he not only provided funding for the Sambhal violence that took place on 24th November but also supplied weapons used by his operatives to carry out the attack. The intelligence unit in Sambhal has identified five more suspected terrorists with links to the area. Two key names that have surfaced during the investigation are Shahid Akhtar and Usman Hussain, who are suspected of facilitating the delivery of weapons and funding for the violence.
Court-ordered survey at Jama Masjid in Sambhal and violence that erupted on 24th November
On 19th November, a court-mandated survey was conducted at Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The court ordered the survey in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, and seven co-plaintiffs, asserting that the mosque occupies the site of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The site in question is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure the survey proceeded peacefully.
However, on 24th November, during the second round of court-mandated survey at Jama Masjid, Islamist mobsters gathered outside the mosque and engaged in violence. They pelted stones at police, opened fire at police personnel and set ablaze vehicles and shops. At least 20 police personnel were injured during violence and four mobsters were killed in the mayhem, likely from illegal guns carried by rioters.
The Supreme Court of India stayed the hearing in the District Court, Sambhal, in response to plea filed by the Muslim side. Furthermore, the survey report submitted by the Advocate Commissioner has been ordered to be sealed and not to be opened till an order is passed by the High Court in the matter. Next hearing in the matter will be in January 2025. A judicial committee was formed by CM Yogi Adityanath to investigate the cause of the violence.
OpIndia’s detailed report on petition filed at the court can be checked here.