The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to three men, Mohammad Danish, Faizan, and Nazir, who were arrested for their alleged role in the violence that broke out in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district during the Archaeological Survey of India’s examination of Sambhal Masjid last year.

The incident had claimed four lives and left several people injured.

Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan observed that the investigation in the matter was complete and the chargesheet had already been filed against the accused.

Hence, the Court said there was no need for their continued custody.

All three were booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act for offences including rioting with deadly weapons, attempt to murder, and endangering human life.

The three accused moved the Supreme Court after the Allahabad High Court rejected their bail pleas.

The High Court declined to grant bail, observing that CCTV footage and recovery of certain materials suggested that the accused were involved in stone pelting and arson during the violence. It further noted that while their names did not figure in the original FIR, subsequent investigation pointed to their role.

This led to the appeal before the top court.

The State of Uttar Pradesh opposed the bail petitions before the top court.

Appearing for the accused, advocate Suleiman Khan argued that none of the three were named in the first information report and that no direct evidence connected them to the incident.

He submitted that the only material relied upon by the prosecution was the confessional statement of a co-accused, which was inadmissible in evidence.

The top court today directed their release on bail. Mohammad Danish and Faizan were granted bail in connection with one FIR while Nazir was granted bail in connection with two separate FIRs.