The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday tabled in the state Assembly the report of the three-member judicial commission that investigated the November 2024 violence during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, saying the probe found the incident to be the result of a “pre-planned conspiracy” hatched by local MP Rahman Barq, MLA Iqbal Mehmood’s son Suhel Iqbal and mosque management members.The others the commission held responsible for the alleged conspiracy include Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee president Zafar Ali, secretary Mashhood Ali Farooqui, and other members.In the report, the commission, headed by former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, concluded that the circumstances preceding the violence indicated that the gathering on November 24 was not spontaneous and was “well-planned”.The report reads, “The incident of violence dated 24 November 2024 was pre-planned and primarily the result of abetment by conspiracy hatched between Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, MP Sambhal, Suhel Iqbal, son of Iqbal Mahmood MLA Sambhal, Zafar Ali, Sadar Intezamia committee, Jama Masjid Sambhal, Kasim Jamal Advocate, Mashhood Ali Farooqui Advocate, secretary in Intezamia committee, Laddan Khan, Nayab Sadar, Intezamia committee and other members of Intezamia Committee.”The commission linked their alleged role to what it described as “political ambitions and an attempt to retain influence and control over the mosque”.Story continues below this adTo support its conclusion, the judicial panel cited a chain of events beginning with the first survey on November 19 that year. These included alleged obstruction during the survey, statements by Barq following Friday prayers on November 22, WhatsApp messages asking people to turn up in large numbers for Friday prayers, and telephone communication between Zafar Ali and the MP on the night preceding the November 24 survey.The commission also referred to the “history of riots and violence” in Sambhal as a possible cause leading to the violence.The report says, “The town of Sambhal has a population of 80% Muslim and 20% Hindu. This town has a long history of communal riots. Due to the environment and background of riots and violence, Muslim religious extremism has increased in Sambhal town, and elements that promote and provoke religious extremism have also gained strength, creating a fertile ground for religious extremism. In the district of Sambhal, two groups among the Muslims, Turks and Pathans, are active. A violent atmosphere is created for the fight of dominance between them.”“From above it appears that the death of four persons of an unlawful assembly was a result of cross firing by the miscreants present in the crowd i.e. Turks and Pathans,” it further says.Story continues below this adThe commission also referred to a large gathering around the mosque on the morning of November 24, saying some people had their faces covered and some were carrying sticks or weapons, rejecting the claim the violence erupted spontaneously after people came to know that water was being drained from the mosque’s wazukhana amid apprehension of excavation or demolition.Deaths not due to police firingThe judicial commission also observed that the four people who died during the violence were not killed in police firing.Citing “ballistic and other evidence”, the panel said the firearm injuries to those who died could have been caused by .315-bore weapons, while there was no evidence that police personnel deployed at the site had weapons of that bore. It observed that the four deaths appeared to have occurred in cross-firing among miscreants in the crowd, which the report identified as members of “local Turk and Pathan groups”.It also noted the FIRs lodged by relatives of the four deceased named unidentified persons and that they did not accuse the police of killing the victims in their complaints or in their statements before the panel.Story continues below this adThe report further reads, “Doctors who did the autopsy of four deceased persons have opined that they died as a result of gunshot injuries. Ballistic reports, which had been filed by SP with his additional affidavit, are also on record which shows that the injuries found on the person of deceased may have been caused by 315 bore weapons. Admittedly there is no evidence on record that any Police personnel had any 315 bore weapons in their hands.”The commission also noted that seven of the police personnel suffered bullet injuries “from firing by people in the crowd”.The report records incidents of stone-pelting, firing and arson, damage to police and private vehicles and attacks on police personnel. It also refers to an incident in which police ammunition was allegedly snatched.The report observed, “After thorough examination of eyewitness statements, forensic reports, and other relevant evidence by the commission leads to an unequivocal conclusion that the Sambhal violence poses a grave and deadly threat to national security and unequivocally attracting the stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The orchestrated violence, characterized by widespread destruction and chaos, aims to undermine India’s unity, integrity, sovereignty, security, and economic stability, striking terror among the populace. If proven, such egregious acts will warrant severe penalties, including life imprisonment.”Story continues below this adIn support of its argument of the incident being a threat to national security and possibility of involvement of outsiders, the commission observed, “Post-riot, the incident site was inspected, and nearby drains were cleaned with a metal detector (HHMD) and municipal worker’s help in the presence of LIU and Field Unit for evidence collection, recovering a foreign 12-bore shell marked “Made in USA,” with a seizure memo prepared.”Whether the district administration and police had adequately prepared for the survey, the commission largely backed their actions, noting that prohibitory orders were in force, peace committee meetings had been held, appeals against rumours and unlawful gatherings were issued, CCTV cameras were checked, additional forces were requisitioned and barricades were installed at sensitive locations.