Samajwadi MP key accused, he provoked Sambhal mob for political gain: FIR

Sambhal Violence News: The Sambhal Police accused Samajwadi Party MP Zia ur Rahman Warq of inciting communal violence to disrupt a court-ordered survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid for political gains.

In Short

• FIR says MP Warq provoked crowd for political gain
• Samajwadi Party MP denies allegations, blames police and administration
• Police claim mob attacked with intention to kill

Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Warq, against whom a case has been filed for inciting a mob and orchestrating violence that killed four in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal on Sunday, provoked the crowd and disrupted communal harmony for political gain, police claimed in an FIR. He has been named the key accused in the case.

One of the FIRs, among six accessed by India Today, alleges that the MP visited the mosque days before Sunday’s violence without permission and incited unrest.

However, the MP and his party denied these allegations, claiming he was out of town at the time of the violence and accusing the police of conspiring against him.

“On November 22, Ziaur Rahman Warq visited the Jama Masjid. After offering namaaz, he gathered a crowd without administrative permission and made provocative statements. For political gain, he incited the crowd to disturb communal harmony,” the FIR stated.

The FIR also mentions Suhail Iqbal, son of MLA Iqbal Mahmood, and others present in the crowd. “Suhail Iqbal incited the crowd by saying, ‘Ziaur Rahman Warq is with us, we are also with you. We will not let anything happen to you; fulfill your intentions.’ As a result, the crowd became more violent,” it stated further.

Ziaur Rahman Warq has been named Accused No 1, while Suhail Iqbal is listed as Accused No 2. Six others have also been named in the FIR, along with 700–800 unidentified individuals. Seven FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident.

The FIR alleges that a mob of 700–800 people armed with deadly weapons gathered to disrupt the court-ordered survey proceedings at the Shahi Jama Masjid. It claims the mob snatched official weapons and targeted the police with intent to kill.

“One person from the crowd fired at Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary with the intention of killing him. Anuj was shot in the leg and sustained injuries,” the FIR stated.

A second FIR, also accessed by India Today, alleges that the mob destroyed CCTV cameras, snatched pistols and tear gas shells from police personnel, and looted 9mm magazines.

“The mob attacked the police with hockey sticks, batons, and stones, intending to kill them,” the FIR said, naming six accused individuals. It added, “Hasan, Azim, Salim, Rehan, Haider, Wasim, Ayan... took away weapons and cartridges from the policemen, set them on fire, and called for killing them. The crowd fired continuously at the police, intending to prevent the survey”.

Ziaur Rahman Warq dismissed the police claims against him, saying he was in Bengaluru when the incident happened.

"I was not even in the state, let alone Sambhal. This is a conspiracy by the police and administration. When the public is unaware of the timing of a survey, how can they plan any conspiracy?," he asked.

The Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal witnessed violent clashes on Sunday morning when a court-appointed team arrived to conduct a survey. The survey was ordered based on a complaint alleging that an ancient temple was demolished to build the mosque by Mughal emperor Babur in the 16th century.

The mob opposed the survey and clashed with the police, leaving four protesters dead and many injured. Protesters claim they were killed in police firing, while the police deny this, stating the mob itself fired the shots.

The mosque management and Samajwadi Party leaders alleged that Sunday’s survey, the second after an initial survey on November 19, was conducted without prior notice. They accused the district administration of provoking the violence.

Meanwhile, the police and complainants assert that the mosque had been served advance notice. The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident.