Zafar Ali, the president of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, was arrested by the local police on March 23, 2025, in connection with the violence that occurred on November 24, 2024. The violence broke out during protests over a court-ordered survey of the mosque, which has been at the center of controversy regarding claims that it was originally an ancient Hindu temple.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate the violence had summoned Zafar Ali to the police station for questioning. After the interrogation, he was taken into custody to record his statement related to the incident.
Sambhal Kotwali in-charge, Anuj Kumar Tomar, told media that Ali had been detained for questioning in relation to the November 24 violence. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including police officers, has left the region tense.
