Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested Zafar Ali, a prominent lawyer and the Chief of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, in connection with the 2024 protests against the mosque’s survey and the subsequent police violence. According to Kashmir Media Service, before his arrest, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had taken Zafar Ali into custody to record his statement regarding the case.

According to the police, he was among the first to receive information about the official survey scheduled in Sambhal and allegedly mobilized local Muslims to protest on November 19, 2024. The police claim this led to unrest and violence. His elder brother, Advocate Mohammad Tahir, stated that Zafar Ali was supposed to appear before a commission the following day to provide his testimony.

However, he alleged that the police arrested him to prevent his testimony, though he remained confident that Zafar Ali would speak the truth as he had in an earlier press conference. Advocate Shakeel Ahmad, who is involved in the case, confirmed that Zafar Ali was officially charged and taken to Chandausi. He called the arrest illegal and stated they would apply for bail after his medical examination, expressing confidence that he would be released.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)