Sambhal Violence: Zafar Ali's bail hearing postponed; More border fabrics on family members

April 03, 2025 06:34 AM IST Ali, who was arrested on March 23 in connection with the November Violence in Sambhal, remained in Moradabad Prison. The legal misery of Zafar Ali, the president of the Jama Masjid Management Committee of Sambhal, was deepening this week when his bail hearing was postponed again. His family members were also placed under strict administrative restrictions. (File) The developments fueled the outrage under the legal community of Sambhal, causing protests and a lead strike that paralyzed the court proceedings. A planned hearing on Ali’s bail Wednesday was postponed after police in Sambhal did not give critical evidence in court. It was the second delay in the case, with a prior postponement on March 27 due to the same issue. The court granted police for two more days, which scored the next trial until April 4. Ali, who was arrested on March 23 in connection with the November violence in Sambhal, remained in the Moradabad Jail. As such, Ali’s legal team and supporters have accused the authorities of standing still. An earlier plea for interim bail was rejected by the court on March 24, after opposition to the government’s advocates who cited the seriousness of the charges against Ali, including riots and the damage to public property. The additional lawyer of the Hariom Prakash Sainin District Government said that Ali’s attorneys argued in court that he should receive interim bail, as he was the president of the JAMA Masjid Committee and also an advocate. They suggested that he be released until the case diary was submitted. However, the court rejected this claim. The prosecution argued that the charges against Ali were serious and could even bear the death penalty. Therefore, he should not be granted bail. Rahulit, the government’s lawyer, said: ‘Zafar Ali’s lawyers asked a hearing on the interim bail application. Instead of focusing on legal arguments, they mostly offered non-technical and emotional points. They tried to influence the court with political rhetorical and sentimental arguments … ‘which added to Ali’s problems, the administration imposed that they were under the BNC commitments. Increased safety issues. The affected family includes Ali’s lawyer, brother Tahir Ali, his son Haider, his cousins ​​and Nadish, and Qamar Hussain. Vandana Mishra, Magistrate Subdivision (SDM), defended the mover, saying that they were needed to maintain order in the wake of Ali’s arrest and the ongoing unrest. The move has sharply criticized Ali’s supporters, who regard it as an retaliation tactic through the administration. Advocate Shaheen Ahmed calls it “an unconstitutional action against the whole family of Zafar Ali”, who claims their innocence and demands their immediate release. “The entire legal community is against it,” he added, promised to continue the fight against what he described as systemic injustice.