Judicial commission in Sambhal to probe Nov 24 riots

Sambhal, UP: A judicial panel appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government conducted a visit to Sambhal on Tuesday to assess areas impacted by riots during the Shahi Jama Masjid survey on November 24 of last year and record witness accounts.

The Commission, which was constituted on December 1 of last year, returned to these places, including the Shahi Jama Masjid neighbourhood, where the violence took place.

The delegation was accompanied by District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya, Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi, and Moradabad police range DIG Muniraj G.

The team, led by the Commission members, conducted an extensive inspection lasting over an hour. Following this, they moved to the PWD guest house on Chandausi Road in Sambhal, where they will record public statements until 4 pm.

The Commission comprises retired high court judge Devendra Arora, former DGP Arvind Kumar Jain, and former Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad. It was formed to investigate the incidents and ensure accountability.

Speaking to reporters, Commission member and former DGP Arvind Kumar Jain said, "We have set up this camp to ensure that people who wish to share their concerns and provide information don't have to travel to Lucknow. This is for their convenience. We will remain here for 4-5 hours to hear them out." The inquiry aims to uncover the cause of the riots and gather relevant evidence from those affected.

Four people had died while several others, including security personnel, were left injured in the November 24 violence, even as the incident snowballed into a major political controversy finding an echo in the state assembly as well as Parliament.

With PTI inputs