Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested Zafar Ali, a prominent lawyer and the Sadar Chief of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, in connection with the 2024 protests against the mosque’s survey and the subsequent police violence.
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.
The FIR against Zafar Ali was filed by Jitendra Deepak Rathi, a senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) official, who accused him of inciting violence. Rathi alleged that after a survey team visited Sambhal, protests erupted, leading to an attack on VHP members. Zafar Ali has been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Indian Evidence Act, 2023 and the Public Property Damage Prevention Act, 1984.
His arrest comes a month after the UP Police’s SIT submitted charge sheets in six cases related to the November 24, 2024, protests, which turned violent after an ASI team arrived to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid, accompanied by Hindutva groups chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” As tensions escalated, local Muslims gathered outside the mosque, and police responded with force, opening fire on protesters.
At least five Muslim men were killed in the police violence, with officials labeling them as “rioters.” Multiple cases were registered, and 77 Muslims, including four women, have been arrested for allegedly throwing stones at the police. Locals argue that these cases are being used to silence those who spoke against the killings, with Zafar Ali being among the most vocal.
Zafar Ali had previously been detained after accusing senior district officials of ordering the police firing on Muslim protesters. He claimed to have witnessed top officials discussing the shooting and refuted police narratives that the violence was initiated by the public. He also alleged that police used country-made guns during the crackdown.
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