The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) announced on Saturday that it has successfully secured bail for Mohammad Arshad, who was arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on November 24, 2024, following a controversial mosque survey and police action.
Arshad was among several individuals booked for alleged involvement in the unrest near Shahi Jama Masjid, which turned violent during a disputed survey conducted by an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team. The incident reportedly occurred amid chants of “Jai Shri Ram” by an accompanying Hindutva group. Tensions escalated, leading to police firing that claimed the lives of at least five Muslim men.
Arshad faced multiple serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 — including sections related to rioting, arson, assault on police personnel, and conspiracy — along with provisions of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1932. Authorities had initially claimed Arshad was absconding before arresting him.
APCR advocates Ghazala Bano Qadri and Syed Maseeh Uddin challenged the charges in the Allahabad High Court, arguing that the arrest was arbitrary and part of a pattern of targeting marginalised Muslim youth in communally charged cases. They highlighted procedural lapses and submitted evidence pointing to Arshad’s non-involvement in the violence.
The High Court, after reviewing the submissions, granted bail to Arshad, offering significant relief to his family and supporters. APCR welcomed the decision as a victory for due process and a reaffirmation of the rule of law.
The November incident in Sambhal remains a flashpoint in the broader debate over religious site disputes and the use of force in communally sensitive areas.
