Sambhal violence: Samajwadi Party MP moves Allahabad High Court, requesting quashing of FIR registered against him.

Samajwadi Party leader and Member of Parliament Zia-ur-Rehman Barq has approached the Allahabad High Court seeking protection from arrest in connection with the violence that erupted in Sambhal following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The violence, which involved clashes between protesters and police, resulted in the deaths of five individuals and left several others injured.
In his petition, Barq argues that the charges against him are politically motivated, asserting that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh is using the case to target and harass him. Barq has denied any involvement in the violence and contends that he was not present in Sambhal at the time of the incidents. He claims to have been in Bengaluru during both the survey and the outbreak of violence, which took place on November 19 and 24, respectively.
The violence began after a civil court in Sambhal ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, following a petition filed by advocate Hari Shankar Jain and others, who alleged that the mosque was built over a demolished temple from the Mughal era. The survey led to widespread protests, stone-pelting, and incidents of vehicle burning, which resulted in four deaths. Barq and Sohail Iqbal, son of local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, were named in the FIR filed by the police.
While police allege that Barq made provocative remarks during his visit to the Shahi Jama Masjid, Barq has refuted these claims, emphasizing his absence from Sambhal at the time. The violence intensified on November 24 when a team of surveyors arrived in Chandausi for a second survey of the mosque, sparking further clashes.
In addition to Barq’s plea for protection from arrest, a separate petition is pending before the Allahabad High Court. This petition seeks the registration of an FIR against police officials and the district magistrate (DM) for their role in the deaths of the four individuals during the violence. The situation surrounding the Sambhal violence remains a contentious issue, with both political and legal battles unfolding as the case progresses.