Recently, the Gujarat Court denied bail to 15 individuals accused in connection with the violent riots that broke out during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal last year, according to officials.

The violence, which occurred on November 24, resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left several others injured. The survey was prompted by a petition that claimed a Harihar temple had once stood at the site of the mosque.

Additional District Judge (ADJ)-II, Nirbhay Narayan Singh, considered the bail petitions but rejected them, citing compelling evidence presented during the hearing.

Government counsel Hariom Prakash Saini informed that all the accused had been identified through CCTV footage and were named in the FIR filed by the complainant. Despite prohibitory orders being in place, they participated in the mob that had been instructed to disperse but instead turned violent, attacking the police with stones and firearms.

Saini further stated that the violence resulted in several civilian deaths, approximately 25 police officers being injured, government vehicles being set on fire, and police equipment—including magazines and rubber bullets—being looted.

The court examined the case records, including evidence from the case registered at Sambhal police station involving 13 accused individuals: Amir, Sameer, Yaqub, Sajauddin, Mohammad Rehan, Mohammad Ali, Shariq, Naim, Mohammad Gulfam, Mohammad Salim, Tahzeeb, Mohammad Firoz, and Mohammad Shadab. Bail applications for all these accused were rejected.

In addition, in a separate case registered at Nakhasa police station, the court also denied bail to accused individuals Rukayya and Farhana.

On November 19, the local court had authorized an ex-parte order for the mosque survey, appointing an advocate commissioner after considering a plea from the Hindu side. The plea claimed that the mosque was constructed by Mughal emperor Babur in 1526, allegedly after demolishing a temple. During the second round of the survey on November 24, clashes erupted between protesting locals and security personnel, leading to the ensuing violence.