Big revelations on Sambhal violence: Police claim conspiracy was planned abroad to assassinate Hindu side lawyer

Four people were killed in a riot that broke out on November 24 following a Court-ordered survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid

Police on Thursday said the main supplier of weapons linked to last year’s violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal has been arrested.

Sambhal SP Krishan Bishnoi, during a briefing, mentioned that a thorough investigation by the police led to Gulam’s arrest, who had given instructions for the violence and also provided weapons. He added that there are 20 cases registered against him.

"During interrogation, he revealed that on November 23, he spoke to one Shariq Satha, who instructed him to prevent the survey at any cost. Satha, who fled the country using a fake passport, was involved in selling stolen cars," Bishnoi told reporters.

The accused also confessed to plotting the murder of advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain amid the Sambhal violence on November 24, 2024.

Police reportedly recovered a 9mm pistol, two .32 bore pistols, and 15 live cartridges from Gulam, some of which were of Czechoslovakian and British origin.

“During the November 24 violence, their leaders told them that this (mosque) was a 500-year-old relic of Babur and must be protected. Additionally, they targeted a lawyer who frequently filed petitions, instructing that he be eliminated," Bishnoi added.

When asked about possible political links, the Sambhal SP stated, "In the 2014 elections, Shafiqur Rahman Barq contested on a Samajwadi Party ticket. At his behest, Gulam carried out a firing incident against Suhail Iqbal, for which a case was registered against him. Gulam worked for the Sarik Sata gang while staying in India."

The police investigation also revealed several WhatsApp groups linked to the riots.

"One such group, named 'Sansad Sambhal,' had messages from November 22 calling people to gather. Some responded, while others did not. The matter is under investigation," he stated.

The accused is said to have communicated with Satha through the Zangi app and made multiple calls to his wife’s mobile phone.

Four people were killed in a riot that broke out on November 24 following a Court-ordered survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area of the city while several others were left injured in the episode.