The Allahabad High Court has stayed further proceedings in an FIR lodged against a cleric of Sambhal Jama Masjid for allegedly violating prohibitory orders after being released on bail in the Sambhal violence case.
A division bench comprising Justice Siddharth Varma and Justice Abdul Shahid passed the interim order on Thursday while hearing a petition filed by Zafar Ali and three others. The court clarified that while the proceedings in the present FIR will remain stayed, the police are at liberty to continue their investigation in accordance with law by filing a proper complaint, if necessary.
The petitioners argued that the FIR, registered under Section 223(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for disobeying a lawful order from a public servant, was not maintainable since the alleged offence was non-cognisable in nature.
The case stems from violence that erupted on November 24, 2024, during a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal. Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Deepak Rathi lodged an FIR at Kotwali police station against several individuals on charges of rioting and incitement.
Ali, who was arrested in connection with the violence, was later granted bail. However, authorities alleged that after his release, a car rally was organised in violation of prohibitory orders, leading to the registration of the fresh FIR on August 8, 2025.
The High Court’s order offers interim relief to the petitioners while leaving the door open for the police to pursue the matter lawfully.
