Akhilesh Yadav Seeks Supreme Court Action on Alleged Police Threats to Sambhal Victim's Family

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has called on the Supreme Court to address claims that the Uttar Pradesh Police intimidated a Sambhal violence victim's family. Allegedly, the police forced them to provide a thumbprint on a blank paper. Yadav suggested that the violence was planned and questioned if BJP supporters, chanting slogans, were present with the survey team during its second visit to Sambhal's Jama Masjid.

The confrontation in Sambhal resulted in four deaths and injuries to several others, including police officers. This occurred last Sunday during a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Kot Garvi area. The local police have not yet responded to Yadav's accusations. On social media platform X, Yadav shared a news report where Naeem's family, one of those killed, alleged police intimidation on November 25, a day after the violence.

Allegations of Police Misconduct

Naeem's brother Tasleem claimed that around 20 officers visited their home, warning them against speaking to the press. Tasleem also alleged that his thumbprint was taken on a blank paper by the police. As an illiterate person, he feared what might be written on it later. "Threatening someone and taking their thumb impression on a blank paper is also a crime," Yadav stated in his post.

Yadav urged the Supreme Court to take immediate action against those responsible for this incident. He emphasised that only the court could ensure justice in this matter. Later, at an event in Ambedkar Nagar district, Yadav reiterated his belief that the violence was orchestrated and questioned whether BJP activists were involved with the mosque survey team.

Sequence of Events Leading to Violence

The sequence of events began on November 19 when a court ordered the mosque survey. During the initial survey, there were no objections from either the Muslim community or Sambhal residents. Yadav expressed confusion over why another survey was necessary without consulting stakeholders first.

He criticised the local administration for not engaging with concerned parties before proceeding with another survey. "The administration is concealing the reality," he said, questioning if BJP activists were present with the survey team while chanting slogans.

Political Tensions and Accusations

Yadav accused the administration of ignoring reality, leading to riots and deaths. He hoped the Supreme Court would investigate why such a conspiracy was allegedly orchestrated. In a subtle critique of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Yadav suggested discord within BJP leadership between Delhi and Lucknow.

"Someone has ascended to Delhi through similar means," he remarked, implying that political ambitions are causing unrest. He noted that people are caught in this conflict between Lucknow and Delhi and questioned who would uphold 'Raj Dharma' as he accused the government of hiding its failures.

Details of Victims and Arrests

The four individuals who died in Sunday's violence were identified as Naeem, Bilal, Noman, and Kaif. Naeem owned a sweet shop and left behind two sons and two daughters. Tasleem mentioned Naeem was out buying groceries when he was killed during the violence.

Tension had been building since November 19 when the mosque was first surveyed following claims that a Harihar temple previously existed at that location. On Sunday, many gathered near the mosque as the survey resumed, leading to clashes with security forces. So far, 25 arrests have been made, with seven FIRs filed against various individuals.