Sambhal: The court of Sambhal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) ordered the release of Farhana, a woman accused in the Sambal violence of November 24, 2024, citing lack of evidence.
Farhana was released from the Moradabad jail on Thursday, February 20, after spending 87 days in prison, the officials reported.
On Wednesday, February 19, CJM Aditya Singh ordered Farhana's release on a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh. Farhana, one of the 79 people arrested in connection with the violence in Sambhal—including four women—became the first to be released in the case.
According to Defense counsel Zaki Anwar, the court granted her release under Section 189 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), previously known as Section 169 of the old Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which allows for the release of an accused if the police fail to find evidence or justification for their involvement in the crime.
What happened in Sambhal last year?
During a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24 last year, a violent clash erupted between locals and the police, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 29 police personnel, as per reports.
A Special Investigative Team (SIT) official stated that inspector Lokendra Kumar Tyagi took over the investigation on November 30, 2024, by which time 26 of the 34 named accused in one FIR had been arrested and sent to the Moradabad jail.
Tyagi later filed chargesheets against 25 accused based on evidence but sought Farhana’s release due to a lack of proof against her.
Farhana, along with Rukaiya and Nazrana, had been arrested for allegedly pelting stones at police during the November 2024 violence amid a second survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. She was accused in one of the 12 FIRs related to the violence under several charges including rioting, unlawful assembly and attempt to murder.
Deputy CM KP Maurya's Statement
Commenting on the controversy, Dpt. CM Maurya on February 21 told ANI, "Whether it is Sambhal or any other case, wherever criminals are in contact with the enemies of the country, it is the responsibility of the police to expose their reality."
Have a look at the video here:
"Strict legal action will be taken against those who harm the law and order, enemies of the country or society. Charge sheet has been filed in the Sambhal case and strong advocacy will be done in the court and the culprits will definitely be punished," he added.
