In connection with the violence that erupted at Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid during a court-ordered survey in November 2024, the Uttar Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT) served a notice to Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia ur Rehman Barq at his residence in Delhi. The SIT had initially visited Barq’s residence in Sambhal earlier but found him absent. As a result, they traveled to his Western Court hostel in Delhi, where they handed over the notice requesting his participation in the ongoing investigation.

Barq Assures Full Cooperation in Investigation

Upon receiving the notice, Zia ur Rehman Barq spoke to the media, confirming that he had received the notice under Section 35(3) of the law. He assured that as an MP and a citizen of India, he would fully cooperate with the authorities in their investigation of the Sambhal violence. "I have received the notice given to me under Section 35(3)... Since I am a citizen of this country and also an MP, I have assured the police of full cooperation during the investigation," said Barq.

The Violence at Shahi Jama Masjid

The violence in Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid took place on November 24, 2024, during a court-ordered survey of the mosque. The violent clashes led to the deaths of four people, with several others injured. Following the incident, an FIR was filed against Zia ur Rehman Barq and the son of a local MLA for allegedly instigating the mob. The Moradabad Police Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed the filing of the FIR and stated that action would be taken, including the possibility of invoking the National Security Act (NSA) if necessary.

SP MP Calls Incident ‘Pre-planned’

Zia ur Rehman Barq has labeled the violence as a “pre-planned incident”, claiming that Muslims across the country are being unfairly targeted. He further accused the authorities of violating the Places of Worship Act and claimed that the survey at Shahi Jama Masjid was conducted without proper justification. "It is so unfortunate; it is a pre-planned incident. Across the country, Muslims are being targeted and such a bad situation has never happened after independence," Barq said. He expressed concern over the court orders and surveys being rushed without proper deliberation, highlighting how Namaz offerings were disrupted. "What was the necessity of a second survey?" he questioned.

Sambhal Police File Complaint Against 800 People

In a separate development, Sambhal’s Superintendent of Police (SP), Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, confirmed that a complaint had been filed against approximately 800 individuals involved in the violence. Sub-Inspector Deepak Rathi, who was injured in the incident, filed the complaint, which named Zia ur Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal as the accused for allegedly instigating the mob. Barq had previously been warned about delivering provocative speeches but failed to heed the advice, according to the police.

Political Dimensions of the Incident

The incident has sparked significant political debate, with Barq and the Samajwadi Party criticizing the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government for targeting Muslim leaders. On the other hand, BJP leaders have denounced the violence and called for strict action against those found guilty. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the Uttar Pradesh Police have pledged to take strict action to bring justice to the victims of the violence.

Future Investigations and Political Fallout

The SIT investigation into the Sambhal violence is likely to continue, with the opposition parties closely monitoring the developments. The case could have significant political ramifications in the lead-up to the upcoming elections, as both the BJP and Samajwadi Party try to leverage the situation to strengthen their respective positions.

As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how the legal and political aspects of this case unfold, especially considering the national security concerns raised by the violence in Sambhal.

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