Lawyer alleges deadly intent in Sambhal clash — Officials targeted for murder by mob
Sambhal, 06 August: The report of the judicial commission investigating the violence that took place during the second survey of Shahi Jama Masjid located in the Sadar Kotwali area of Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh has been tabled in the Assembly.
Now, the Hindu side’s lawyer Gopal Sharma, who was present during the violence during the survey, has made a sensational revelation. He alleged that the people named in the report were involved and the entire incident should be discussed in depth and the rioters pelted stones and fired with the intention of killing the survey team and officials.
He told that he was present on both the days of the survey on November 19 and 24, 2024. On November 19, members of the Muslim community forcibly entered the mosque and prevented the survey from being conducted. When arrangements were made for the second survey, the community intended to assassinate the survey team and administrative officials, but this was prevented due to the proper arrangements made by the administration.
He explained that the police exercised extreme restraint, while the rioters directly fired and pelted stones at the police, injuring several police and administrative officials. He explained that the mob was pre-planned, and the LIO report also indicated a potential riot, so the government had made proper arrangements. Therefore, they were unable to carry out the planned riot.
In the Sambhal disputed Shahi Jama Masjid vs. Harihar Temple case, Court Commissioner Ramesh Raghav told reporters, “I was appointed as the Advocate Commissioner in this case by the Honorable Court. I surveyed the site for approximately two hours on November 19. During the survey, the issue of prayer came up, and it was prayer time. Many people gathered as worshippers and were chanting religious slogans.” There was also a lighting issue, which disrupted the survey. I then conducted another survey on November 24. The survey began on the morning of November 24, and it lasted about two and a half hours. I was inside during the survey, accompanied by the plaintiff in the case, Vishnu Shankar Jain, and ASI lawyer Vishnu Sharma. Meanwhile, gunfire was heard from outside, and around 10:30 a.m., the administration escorted us out through the western gate, through the Hindu settlement. I believe the mob wanted to disrupt the survey and their aim was to attack the survey team. This violence was completely pre-planned.
