HC stays proceedings in FIR against Sambhal Jama Masjid cleric

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High court has stayed further proceedings in an FIR against cleric of Sambhal Jama Masjid for violating prohibitory orders after getting released on bail in 2024 Sambhal violence case.However, the bench clarified that the police may continue the investigation in accordance with the law by lodging a proper complaint in the matter. The division bench comprising justice Siddharth Varma and justice Abdul Shahid in its order dated Sept 18 passed the order on a petition filed by Zafar Ali and three others. Petitioner's plea was that the FIR should not have been lodged in the present case, as the case being a non-cognizable one. Violence had erupted on Nov 24, 2024, during a survey at the Jama Masjid in Sambhal. Four lives were lost in the violence. Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Deepak Rathi lodged an FIR at the Kotwali police station for offences including rioting and incitement. Zafar Ali was arrested but later released on bail after which a car rally was organised in violation of prohibitory order and the present FIR was registered.