Bail Hearing for Zafar Ali, Chief of Shahi Jama Masjid, Rescheduled to April 4

Synopsis

The bail hearing for Zafar Ali, President of the Shahi Jama Masjid Committee in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has been postponed to April 4 due to the unavailability of the case diary. Ali was arrested on March 23 following violence during protests about a mosque survey.

Key Takeaways

The bail hearing for Zafar Ali is now set for April 4.
Ali was arrested in connection with November 24 violence.
His request for interim bail was denied.
The court requires the case diary by the next hearing.
Ali faces multiple serious charges related to public disorder.

Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh), April 2 (NationPress) The bail hearing for Zafar Ali, the President of the Shahi Jama Masjid Committee in UP's Sambhal, has been rescheduled to April 4 due to the absence of the case diary.

Ali was taken into custody on March 23, with his bail plea originally set for a hearing on March 27.

However, Judge Nirbhay Narayan Rai of the ADJ-II court in Chandausi denied his request for interim bail and established April 2 as the date for examining his regular bail application.

During the proceedings, Ali’s legal counsel requested interim bail, referencing the lack of the case diary. In reply, Additional District Government Advocate Hariom Prakash Saini contended that since Ali’s prior plea for interim bail was turned down, the court should likewise dismiss this new request. The court concurred and rejected the interim bail application. It then ordered the prosecution to present the case diary by April 4, when the subsequent hearing is scheduled.

Ali’s arrest followed inquiries regarding his participation in the November 24 violence in Sambhal, which erupted during demonstrations against a court-mandated survey of the Mughal-era mosque. On the same date, a Chandausi court denied Ali's bail plea, leading to his judicial custody in Moradabad Jail for two days.

Ali is facing numerous charges, such as rioting, obstructing public officials, promoting discord among various groups, and fabricating false evidence. He is also charged under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The accused has refuted all allegations, asserting that he has been wrongfully implicated. Ali’s elder brother, Tahir Ali, alleged that the police intentionally detained Zafar before a judicial panel could document his testimony.

The Uttar Pradesh government formed the panel to probe the violence, which led to four fatalities and numerous injuries during the protests over the mosque survey. The controversy surrounding the Mughal-era mosque arises from a petition claiming it was initially the site of an ancient Hindu temple. The unrest occurred on November 24, 2024, in Sambhal’s Kot Garvi area, during the mosque survey.