Judge who ordered FIR against police over 2024 Sambhal violence transferred

A judge in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal who had recently ordered the registration of a case against police personnel over a 2024 shooting incident, was among 14 judges transferred by the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday, as reported by Live Law.

The officer, Sambhal Chief Judicial Magistrate Vibhanshu Sudheer, had directed that an FIR be lodged against former Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary, Kotwali in-charge Anuj Tomar and 15 to 20 unidentified police personnel. The order was linked to an incident in which a man named Alam was shot and injured during violence in Sambhal in November 2024. After the order was passed, the Sambhal Police had said they would challenge it before the High Court.

Sudheer has now been posted to Sultanpur as a civil judge (senior division). His transfer triggered protests by a group of lawyers in Sambhal on Wednesday.

According to The Indian Express, Sudheer has been replaced by Aditya Singh, who was earlier serving as civil judge (senior division) in Sambhal’s Chandausi town. Singh is the judicial officer who had earlier ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Chandausi, Scroll.in reported.

The November 2024 violence in Sambhal, which claimed five lives, had erupted after some Muslim residents opposed the court-mandated survey of the mosque. The survey was ordered in connection with a suit claiming that the mosque was built in 1526 by Mughal ruler Babar on the site of a centuries-old Shri Hari Har Temple dedicated to Lord Kalki.

Earlier this month, Sudheer had allowed a plea filed by Alam’s father, Yameen, seeking legal action against police personnel accused of firing at his son. The application stated that on November 24, 2024, Alam was selling rusks and biscuits from a cart near the Jama Masjid when police allegedly opened fire on a crowd with the intent to kill.

In his order, Sudheer had noted that while it was evident Alam had sustained gunshot injuries, the identity of the shooter required probe. He had also observed that in serious offences such as attempted murder, it was unlikely that a victim would falsely implicate someone while protecting the real assailant. The judge further stated that police personnel could not seek immunity by claiming they were merely performing official duties when accused of criminal acts.