History-sheeter who shot two police personnel during violence in Sambhal, arrested

More than a month after violent clashes over a court-ordered mosque survey in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal led to four deaths, the man accused of firing at a cop during the incident has been arrested.

Accused Salim was hiding in Delhi's Seelampur area after the incident. He had returned to Sambhal to surrender but was arrested after police received information about his whereabouts, police said.

Salim, who allegedly shot at Circle Office (CO) Anuj Chaudhary, had been absconding since November 24, when the violence broke out in Sambhal. Two police personnel, including Superintendent of Police (SP) KK Vishnoi, suffered bullet injuries in the violence.

A 12-bore pistol, five 12-bore cartridges, and a one-mm shell looted from the



police by the accused have been recovered, officials said.

According to the police, as many as seven criminal cases have been registered against Salim, including attempt to murder, robbery and cow slaughter under the Gangsters Act.

Police have also taken possession of the CCTV footage in which Salim can be seen at the site of violence.

"So far, 51 accused have been arrested in the Sambhal violence case while the search for other accused is also underway," a senior police official said.

On November 24, 2024, massive violence broke out in Sambhal after hundreds protested a survey ordered by a local court on a petition claiming that a temple had been demolished to construct the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid.