Allahabad High Court to Review Petition by SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq Today
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New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) The Allahabad High Court is prepared to examine the petition submitted by Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq on Thursday, which seeks the annulment of an FIR and a halt to his arrest regarding the violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.
The unrest began during a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, leading to the tragic loss of five lives and injuries to numerous individuals, including 20 police officers.
Barq, identified as the main suspect, refutes all accusations, asserting that they are driven by political motives. He contends that his detention would result in "irreparable loss" and maintains that he was not in Sambhal during the incident.
According to Barq, he was in Bengaluru at the time and opted to stay in Delhi upon discovering the FIR to prevent any escalation. Nevertheless, he claims to have reached out to community members via phone, urging them to uphold peace.
The Sambhal police have charged Barq with making inflammatory statements at the mosque in the days preceding the unrest, alleging that his words incited the violence. The FIR also implicates Sohail Iqbal, the son of local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, for his supposed involvement in the incident.
In his petition, Barq has described the accusations as unfounded and the result of political retribution orchestrated by the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government. He stresses that the charges are part of a broader scheme to target him and his party.
The violence was triggered by escalating tensions surrounding claims that the Shahi Jama Masjid was constructed atop a temple. The situation deteriorated into stone-pelting and arson, damaging several police vehicles.
The Sambhal police are anticipated to present evidence against Barq in court on Thursday.
