Last Updated:January 24, 2026, 16:00 IST

The larger controversy surrounds the transfer of former CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir, whose name figured prominently in the list of 14 judicial transfers issued by the Allahabad High Court

The Sambhal violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24, 2024, following a petition claiming the mosque was constructed after demolishing the Shri Harihar Temple in 1529.

Sambhal witnessed an unprecedented judicial reshuffle within 48 hours, with the Allahabad High Court appointing Kaushambi Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Deepak Kumar Jaiswal as the new CJM of Sambhal. The move came barely two days after Aditya Singh was promoted and posted as CJM Sambhal, only to be sent back to his earlier position as Civil Judge (Senior Division), Chandausi.

In the same transfer order, Naveed Akhtar was elevated from Junior Division Judge, Sambhal, to Additional Senior Division Civil Judge, Chandausi. The rapid changes have triggered strong reactions within legal circles, particularly due to the sensitive cases handled by the transferred judges.

Aditya Singh’s brief tenure as CJM had already drawn attention. He had earlier, while serving as Civil Judge (Senior Division), ordered a court-mandated survey in the high-profile Shri Harihar Temple versus Shahi Jama Masjid civil dispute. That order had eventually led to violence in Sambhal on November 24, 2024, resulting in four deaths and injuries to several police personnel.

However, the larger controversy surrounds the transfer of former CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir, whose name figured prominently in the list of 14 judicial transfers issued by the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday evening. Vibhanshu was shifted from Sambhal to Sultanpur as Civil Judge (Senior Division), a move that sparked protests by lawyers who termed it a “punishment posting.”

Vibhanshu Sudhir had passed several orders directing registration of FIRs against police officers, including a landmark order dated January 9, 2026, instructing an FIR against then ASP Sambhal Anuj Chaudhary and 20 other police personnel. The case pertained to alleged police firing during the Sambhal violence, in which a youth was reportedly shot.

Following his transfer, lawyers staged protests near Chandausi Kotwali, raising slogans against the state government and police administration. They alleged that judicial independence was being undermined.

“This is nothing but the murder of justice,” said advocate Roshan Singh Yadav. “Even God does not punish good people. No one has the authority to penalise an honest judge. We demand the Chief Justice of the High Court cancel this transfer. It has been done under pressure.”

Former Bar Association president Rajesh Yadav echoed similar sentiments. “Judge Vibhanshu strengthened the justice delivery system in Sambhal. In many cases, decisions were delivered within eight days. His transfer after ordering FIRs against police officers clearly raises questions. He should be brought back to Sambhal,” he said.

The FIR order stemmed from a petition filed on February 6, 2025, by Yameen, a resident of Khaggu Sarai Anjuman locality under Nakhasa police station. He alleged that his son Alam was shot by police on November 24, 2024, while returning home after selling rusks (toasts) near the Shahi Jama Masjid area.

Yameen had named then Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary, Kotwali Inspector Anuj Tomar and other police personnel as accused. On January 9, 2026, the CJM court ordered registration of an FIR against all named officers.

Yameen’s counsel Chaudhary Akhtar Hussain stated, “The victim had to get medical treatment in hiding. The police refused to register an FIR, leaving us with no option but to approach the court.”

Reacting to the order, SP Sambhal Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said, “A judicial inquiry into the violence has already been conducted. We will challenge the court order. An FIR will not be registered at this stage.”

The Sambhal violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24, 2024, following a petition claiming the mosque was constructed after demolishing the Shri Harihar Temple in 1529. The survey, ordered by Civil Judge Aditya Singh, triggered large-scale unrest. Four people were killed in police firing, while 29 police personnel, including senior officers, were injured.

Post-violence, police arrested 79 accused, including three women, and registered 12 FIRs naming Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, SP MLA Iqbal Mahmood’s son Suhail Iqbal, and over 2,700 unidentified persons. A Special Investigation Team later filed a 1,128-page chargesheet against 23 accused.

CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir had earlier, on December 24, 2025, ordered FIRs against 13 police personnel in an alleged fake encounter case from 2022, further reinforcing his reputation for judicial assertiveness.

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