Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Singh Yadav has raised serious concerns over the investigation into the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, expressing a lack of trust in the three-member judicial committee set up by the government.
Yadav, speaking to the Media, emphasised that an inquiry led by a sitting judge would have been more credible, accusing the current government of dishonesty.
His comments come amid escalating tensions surrounding the violence that erupted in the area, which has been the subject of political and public scrutiny.
Shivpal Singh Yadav’s remarks reflect growing discontent with the handling of the situation. He suggested that the violence was a result of widespread anger against the government.
"They are not letting the people cast votes," Yadav claimed, alleging that police forces had intervened to prevent voting.
He went on to accuse the government of using the violence to further its own interests. Yadav’s call for a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge highlights the deep distrust between the opposition and the current administration.
In a related statement, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad expressed his sorrow over the tragic events in Sambhal, which saw several deaths and injuries. Prasad noted that the opposition had sought to bring the issue to Parliament, but claimed that the government deliberately hindered the discussion.
He added that the violence had not only caused loss of life but had also damaged the social fabric of the state, undermining peace and brotherhood. However, he acknowledged the intervention of the Supreme Court, which had stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The violence in Sambhal, which resulted in at least four deaths, occurred in the aftermath of a local court’s order for a survey of the Jama Masjid. The survey was sparked by a petition that claimed the mosque was built on the site of a historical Harihar temple.
Tensions had been building since November 19, when the court first issued the order. Clashes broke out between police and protestors over the survey, leading to a deadly confrontation.
On November 24, during the ASI's examination of the mosque, stone-pelting ensued, escalating the violence. In addition to the four fatalities, several others, including both locals and officials, were injured during the clashes.
Following the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government appointed a three-member judicial committee to investigate the violence. The committee, which includes former UP DGP AK Jain, was tasked with probing the causes of the violence and gathering evidence.
Jain indicated that the probe would continue for another two months, as the committee seeks to understand the full scope of the events.
Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, who was involved in the investigation, noted that the committee had visited the Shahi Masjid area where the violence occurred, speaking with local residents and Masjid committee members to gather information.
As of now, police have arrested 27 people in connection with the violence, including 25 men and two women. Seven FIRs have been registered in relation to the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
The arrests signal the government's commitment to holding those responsible for the violence accountable, although the opposition remains sceptical of the effectiveness and transparency of the process.
The Supreme Court, in response to the ongoing situation, intervened on November 29 to ensure peace and stability in Sambhal.
The Court directed the local trial court to halt proceedings related to the suit against the Jama Masjid until the Masjid Committee’s petition against the survey order was heard in the High Court.
Additionally, the Court instructed that the report of the advocate commissioner who had conducted the survey be sealed and kept confidential for the time being. This intervention from the highest judiciary aims to maintain harmony in the region and prevent further escalation of tensions.
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