Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has established a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission to probe the violent stone-pelting incident that occurred in Sambhal on November 24. The inquiry, led by retired Allahabad High Court Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, will focus on ensuring transparency and a comprehensive investigation.
Incident Overview
The stone-pelting occurred during the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) examination of a disputed Mughal-era mosque, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including police officials and locals.
The incident reportedly took place at the Jama Masjid-Harihar Mandir site in Sambhal following a local court’s directive for a survey of the area.
Commission Composition and Mandate
The inquiry panel comprises:
- Justice Devendra Kumar Arora (Retired), Allahabad High Court (Chairperson)
- Amit Mohan Prasad, Retired IAS
- Arvind Kumar Jain, Retired IPS
The commission’s tasks include:
- Determining whether the violence was premeditated or a spontaneous act.
- Assessing the adequacy of law and order arrangements by the district administration and police.
- Identifying circumstances leading to the incident.
- Proposing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The panel has been given two months to submit its findings, with provisions for an extension if necessary.
Court Developments and Mosque Committee’s Plea
Meanwhile, the Committee of Management of Jama Masjid in Sambhal has petitioned the Supreme Court against the November 19 directive of the local court, which ordered the ASI survey.
The petition seeks:
- The survey commissioner’s report to be sealed.
- A status quo to be maintained until the resolution of the petition.
The Committee argued that surveys in disputes over places of worship should not be conducted without prior hearings and sufficient time for legal remedies.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, is scheduled to hear the plea on Friday