New Delhi: Police have lodged seven FIRs in connection with the violence related to a court-mandated probe into a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhar. Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, son of local party MLA Iqbal Mehmood, have been named as accused, officials said on Monday.
The district administration has issued a ban and restricted entry of outsiders into Sambhal till November 30.
The riots left three people dead and many injured, including security personnel and administrative officials, as protesters opposed the investigation. Shahi Jama Masjid There were clashes with police on Sunday.
A fourth person died from their injuries on Monday.
Director General of Police Krishan Kumar announced at a press conference that seven FIRs have been registered, naming six individuals including Barker and Iqbal, while 2,750 persons have also been identified Unknown individuals. “Baker’s earlier statement made the situation worse,” Kumar said.
Also read: Violence at Sambal Mosque
So far, 25 people have been arrested and efforts are underway to identify more people involved in the clashes. Kumar noted that the situation in the city has stabilized and shops have reopened despite routine weekly closures.
Justice Rajender Pensiya confirmed that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) had issued the injunction on Sunday evening.
The order prohibits outsiders, social organizations or public representatives from entering the area without official approval. Violations will be prosecuted under BNS Section 223, which punishes disobedience to lawful orders.
Sambhal SP Muniraj revealed that the three men killed in the violence – Naeem, Bilal and Nauman, all aged around 25 – were buried on Sunday. Internet services in Sambhal tehsil remained suspended and all schools were closed on Monday as a precautionary measure.
Tensions have been rising in Sambhar since November 19, when a court ordered the first inquiry into the Jama Masjid following a petition claiming a Harihar temple previously existed at the site.
On Sunday, as the investigation team resumed their work, a large crowd gathered near the mosque, chanting slogans and causing trouble. Officials noted that the inquest originally scheduled for Tuesday had been rescheduled to avoid disrupting afternoon prayers.
Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, the petitioner in the case, said the civil court (high court) had directed the formation of an “advocacy committee” to conduct photography and photography of the scene and submit a report. Jain also urged the Archaeological Survey of India to take control of the disputed site, calling it a temple.
Gopal Sharma, a lawyer representing the Hindu side, reiterated that the original temple was demolished in 1529 by the Mughal emperor Babur.
