Sun Mar 23 09:17:18 UTC 2025: ## Mosque President Detained for Questioning in Sambhal Violence Case
**Sambhal, March 23, 2025** – Zafar Ali, president of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, was taken into custody today by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to record his statement regarding the violence that erupted in the town on November 24, 2024. The detention, confirmed by Sambhal Kotwali in-charge Anuj Kumar Tomar, is directly related to the November 24 incident, which resulted in four deaths and numerous injuries. The mosque, a Mughal-era structure, has been the subject of significant controversy following a petition alleging it was built on the site of an ancient Hindu temple. Tensions in Sambhal have remained high since the violence, which broke out during protests against a court-ordered survey of the mosque. While authorities clarified that Mr. Ali was taken in for questioning and not arrested, his detention further fuels the ongoing tensions surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid.
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