The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Zafar Ali, a prominent lawyer and president of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, who had been in custody since March 2025. He was arrested following violent protests that erupted in November 2024 after a controversial police-led survey of the mosque, which resulted in the deaths of at least five Muslim men.
Justice Sameer Jain, presiding over a single-judge bench, approved Ali’s bail after considering the circumstances of his arrest and the ongoing investigation. Ali had been detained at Moradabad jail by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Uttar Pradesh Police.
Authorities accused Ali of inciting violence during the protests by allegedly mobilizing demonstrators after receiving advance information about the mosque survey. He faced charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, and the Public Property Damage Prevention Act.
However, residents of Sambhal and human rights advocates have contested the police narrative, alleging that Ali was targeted for vocally opposing police brutality during the protests. Eyewitness accounts describe police firing on unarmed crowds, escalating tensions that might have otherwise been diffused through dialogue.
Shortly after the violence, Ali held a press conference condemning senior district officials, whom he accused of ordering the police firing. He claimed to have witnessed meetings between top officials, including the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Superintendent of Police (SP), and District Magistrate (DM), discussing the use of force against protesters.
Ali also criticized the conduct of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Circle Officer (CO), alleging that their threats and abusive behavior provoked the crowd. He stated that approximately 75% of the protesters had dispersed peacefully following his call for calm, but the police firing was unjustified and could have been avoided.
