Sambhal riots: Judicial panel members record statements of govt employees

Sambhal: Members of the judicial commission appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the riots that erupted during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 24 last year recorded the statements of officials on Thursday.

The commission, which includes former High Court Judge Devendra Arora, former Director General of Police (DGP) Arvind Kumar Jain and former Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad, is stationed at the PWD guest house on Chandausi Road to record the statements, local officials said.

The commission was formed following the riots which killed four people and injured several including policemen.

The commission had previously visited Sambhal on December 1 and January 21. During the last visit, 51 complaints were registered with the commission in relation to the violence.

The victims of the 1978, 1986 and 1992 riots in Sambhal held a procession to the PWD guest house and submitted a memorandum to the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Sambhal.

Victims have long been demanding re-investigation of the previous riots. They include those who lost their loved ones and suffered damage to their property.

Manoj Kumar, a victim of the 1978 riots, told reporters that his grandparents, Kishan Singh and Nareni, were burnt alive at the gate of Banwari Lal Murari Lal during the riots. Their bodies were never recovered and the family never received justice.

"We have not got justice for it till date... The culprits should be punished and the entire incident should be disclosed. We request the Yogi government to set up a judicial commission to bring out the truth of the 1978 riots," Manoj Kumar said.

Similarly, Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, another victim of the 1978 riots, recalled how his shop was destroyed in the violence. Despite his significant loss, he received a meagre compensation of Rs 200.

Rastogi emphasised that the compensation did not match the scale of the loss he suffered. He also called for a re-investigation of the 1978 riots to "uncover" the truth, adding, "Our MPs and MLAs at the time were not sympathetic to our plight and we seek justice even today." SDM Vandana Mishra confirmed that some people had presented a memorandum requesting a detailed investigation into the past riots.

Mishra explained that the judicial commission is currently recording statements of government officers and employees, while earlier dates were allocated for statements from the general public. She assured that the public would be informed of any future dates of hearings.

Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia told reporters that the judicial commission visited Sambhal for the third time on Thursday and the statements of all the concerned officials were recorded. Affidavits were also submitted on their behalf as testimony, he added.

He said whenever the judicial commission visits, prior information is given through an official letter specifying whose statements will be recorded, he said.

Judicial commission member A K Jain told reporters that affidavits and other documents were submitted and their confirmation was done.

He said the remaining work would be completed during the next visit.

Asked about the timing of their next visit, he said it is not yet decided but prior intimation will be given before they come again.