Shahi Jama Masjid President Zafar Ali Denied Interim Bail, Next Hearing On April 2
Shahi Jama Masjid president Zafar Ali's interim bail plea was rejected by a local court. His regular bail plea is scheduled for April 2.
A local court on Thursday rejected the interim bail plea of Shahi Jama Masjid president Zafar Ali and also posted his regular plea on April 2, reports news agency PTI quoting government counsel. He was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday in connection with the violence that erupted in Sambhal in November last year.
According to TOI, the government counsel stated that whilst Ali's counsel preseted arguments for temporary bail, the prosecution contested it and pointed to severe allegations against him. After hearing the submissions, the court declined temporary bail and scheduled the regular bail appliation for heating on April 2.
Earlier, speaking on his arrest, Jama Masjid Shahi Mosque Committee Chief said, "I did not incite any violence." He was taken into custody by the SIT team of the Sambhal police in connection with the November 24 Sambhal violence.
Zafar's Ali elder brother Tahir has alleged that the police were deliberately sending his sibling to jail before his testimony could be recorded before the judicial panel on Monday.
Zafar's brother Tahir said, "Around 11:15 am, an inspector and the investigating officer (of the case) came to our house, saying that CO (circle officer) Kuldeep Singh wanted to talk. He had spoken with us last night as well. Zafar was supposed to testify before the commission tomorrow and that is why they are deliberately sending him to jail."
The Mughal-era mosque here has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple.
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