Charge sheet details Barq's conversation with Jama Masjid president

THEY CONSPIRED TO STOP COURT-ORDERED SURVEY AND WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR GATHERING CROWD ON NOV 24, SAYS SP

- Deepak Lavania

MEERUT: The UP Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has named Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and Jama Masjid Committee president Zafar Ali as the main conspirators in the violence that broke out near Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid in November last year.

The 1,100-page charge sheet filed in the case highlights a conspiracy to obstruct the lawful survey through mob mobilization and incitement.

"The charge sheet details multiple conversations that took place between Barq and Shahi Jama Masjid's president Zafar Ali from November 22 to 24. They conspired to stop the court-ordered survey and were responsible for gathering the crowd on November 24, the day on which widespread violence broke out," said SP (Sambhal) KK Bishnoi.

According to the charge sheet, the SP MP's personal assistant's father, Rizwan, an electrician at the mosque, also played a pivotal role in assembling the mob. Acting on the instructions of Barq, Rizwan made several calls to people from areas around the Jama Masjid and from Sarai Tareen, urging them to gather in large numbers to prevent the survey scheduled for November 24.