Lucknow: A three-member judicial commission led by retired Allahabad High Court judge Devendra Kumar Arora on Thursday submitted its report on the November 2024 Sambhal violence to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. The commission also included retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain and former IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad. The 450-page document examines the causes of the violence near Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24, 2024, during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-monitored survey, which left four people dead and several others injured.
Judicial commission member Arvind Kumar Jain told reporters that the report would be made public only after government approval, calling the findings “confidential.” The panel, set up on November 28, 2024, visited Sambhal several times and recorded statements of local residents, police officials, and others. According to sources, the report documents a long history of communal disturbances in Sambhal, noting 15 recorded riots since 1947. It also mentions demographic changes, stating that the Hindu population in the district has reduced significantly over decades. These references have triggered political debate.
The Congress demanded that the report be released in full rather than through what it termed selective leaks. Party leader Shahnawaz Alam said emerging details on demographic decline of Hindus and community-based divisions “appear to be aimed at creating mistrust.” The Samajwadi Party (SP) also alleged that the controversy was being used to divert attention from unemployment and agrarian issues.
The November 24 violence occurred on the second day of the ASI survey ordered by a local court. Demonstrators had gathered near the mosque, leading to stone-pelting and clashes with police. While four people died, police officials denied opening fire, stating that only “mild force” was used to restore order. The Supreme Court has since halted proceedings in the trial court related to the survey.
The government has not given a timeline on when the commission’s recommendations will be tabled.
Sambhal violence: Timeline of events
On November 22, 2024, a local court ordered an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team to begin inspection of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. Two days later, on November 24, violence erupted when crowds assembled near the mosque. Stone-pelting followed, and clashes broke out between demonstrators and police forces. The confrontation led to four deaths and multiple injuries. The Uttar Pradesh government set up a three-member judicial commission on November 28 to investigate the causes and suggest preventive measures. Nine months later, the panel has submitted a 450-page report to the Chief Minister.
