Sambhal violence: Allahabad High Court stays action against cop Anuj Chaudhary, others for firing at youth

The Allahabad High Court Tuesday stayed a court order directing Uttar Pradesh Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Sambhal’s former circle officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary and other cops for allegedly firing at a youth in 2024 [Anuj Kumar Chaudhary And Another v State of Uttar Pradesh].The police action had taken place in connection with a demonstration against the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. On January 9, Chief Judicial Magistrate Vibhanshu Sudheer allowed a complaint moved by a man, who alleged that his son Alam was shot by the cops outside the Sambhal Jama Masjid. The Court had opined that a criminal investigation was necessary in the matter.However, Uttar Pradesh government and Chaudhary along with Inspector Anuj Kumar Tomar challenged the decision. Following a detailed hearing in the matter, Justice Samit Gopal today noted that the complainant had failed to produce any proof that he had first approached the police regarding the alleged offence.“The fact which is seen is that the complainant has failed to produce any relevant document or even make a relevant pleading that he approached the Officer Incharge of the Police Station or information was provided to the Officer Incharge of police station regarding commission of cognizable offence and the Officer Incharge refused and neglected to register the FIR,” the judge said..The Court rejected the objections against the petitions moved by State of Uttar Pradesh and Chaudhary.“A petition before this Court is filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, in the supervisory jurisdiction and this Court should not scuttle its jurisdiction while entertaining a matter. The law for maintainability of a petition under Article 227 of the Constitution of India is well settled,” the High Court said. .While staying the CJM’s order, the Court granted the complainant two weeks to file a counter affidavit and granted further two weeks for rejoinder by the petitioners. The matter will be heard next on March 24.“Till the next date of listing, effect and operation of the order dated 09.01.2026 passed in Misc. Case No. 525 of 2025 (Yameen Vs. Anuj Tomar) by learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sambhal at Chandausi shall remain stayed,” the Court ordered..Pertinently, CJM Sudheer, who had passed the order for FIR, was transferred recently out of Sambhal. His transfer was criticised by the opposition parties for allegedly being politically motivated.Sudheer was one of the 14 judges transferred on January 20 by Allahabad High Court. More judges were transferred on January 22. Interestingly, he has been transferred thrice since May 2025.Sudheer was Chief Judicial Magistrate Lalitpur between November 2023 and May 2025. He was then transferred to Agra where he remained till September 2025. From there, he was transferred to Sambhal where he remained posted till January 20 this year..CJM who ordered FIR against Sambhal cops transferred thrice in past eight months.Advocate Ashutosh Kumar Sand represented the petitioners.Additional Advocate General Manish Goel with Additional Government Advocate Rupak Chaubey appeared for the StateSenior Advocate SFA Naqvi with Advocates Mohammad Khalid, Syed Ahmad Faizan, Zaheer Asghar and Sahanwaj Shah represented the complainant. [Read Order].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.