The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday adjourned till February 9 the hearing on a petition filed by Anuj Chaudhary, the former Circle Officer (CO) of Sambhal, who is challenging a Chief Judicial Magistrate’s order directing registration of an FIR against him and several other police personnel in connection with the 2024 Sambhal violence case.
The matter came up before Justice Samit Gopal, who was informed by Additional Advocate General Manish Goel that the State of Uttar Pradesh had also filed a separate petition against the same order. The judge directed that both petitions—filed by Chaudhary and the state government—be clubbed and heard together.
Justice Gopal also granted time to the complainant Yameen’s counsel to prepare for the case, following his request. The hearing was then adjourned.
The controversy stems from an order passed on January 9, 2026, by Chief Judicial Magistrate Vibhanshu Sudhir, who had directed the registration of an FIR against several police officers, including Anuj Chaudhary. The direction came on a criminal complaint filed by Yameen, a resident of the Khaggu Sarai locality in Nakhasa, Sambhal.
Yameen alleged that on November 24, 2024, his 24-year-old son Alam—who had gone out to sell papad—was shot near the Shahi Jama Masjid area by police personnel during the course of law and order action in the area.
The CJM’s order had triggered legal action by both the named officer and the state government, both of whom have questioned the correctness of the directive to register the FIR.
The High Court is now set to examine both challenges together in the upcoming hearing.
