Supreme Court Grants Bail to Three Accused in Uttar Pradesh Mosque Violence

In a significant judicial move, the Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to three individuals implicated in the 2022 violence at a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The incident, which resulted in four tragic deaths, had led to multiple arrests, including those of Mohammad Danish, Faizan, and Nazir. The apex court's decision followed the completion of investigations and the filing of a chargesheet.

Presiding over the case, Justices P S Narasimha and R. Mahadevan reviewed the appeals after the Allahabad High Court dismissed their previous bail requests. The defense, represented by Advocate Suleiman Khan, contended that there was no substantial incriminating evidence against the accused, who were not initially named in the FIR and only linked through the alleged confession of a co-accused.

The defense further argued that despite CCTV footage suggesting involvement, the evidence was not definitive. Arrested under charges related to rioting, arson, and attempted murder, the accused faced challenges under both the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the complexities of evidence evaluation in riot-related cases.