The Allahabad High Court extended its interim stay on the order of Chief Justice Sambhal. File Image | Photo credit: The Hindu
The Allahabad High Court extended its interim order on the order of Chief Justice Sambhal, who ordered the registration of an FIR against several police officers, including the then circle officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary.
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During the hearing of the case on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), the applicant’s legal representative filed a counter-affidavit in the case. The court then granted the petitioner’s counsel a period of time to comment on it.
It extended the interim order granted earlier and fixed April 21 as the next date of hearing.
Earlier, after hearing a petition filed by the then Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary, Justice Samit Gopal stayed the January 9 order of the then chief judicial magistrate directing the registration of the FIR.
Apart from Mr. Chaudhary, the state government also challenged the Chief Justice’s order. The court granted both petitions.
The petitioner Yameen filed a petition – filed under Section 173(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita – before the then Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Vibhanshu Sudheer.
In his petition, Yameen claimed that his son Alam was selling paper (dryer) and crackers in his cart near Jama Masjid in Sambhal’s Mohalla Kot area on 24 November 2024 at around 8:45 am when the named police officials suddenly opened fire into the crowd “with intent to kill”.
Yameen’s petition named Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary and Sambhal Kotwali in-charge Anuj Kumar Tomar.
In his 11-page order, CJM Sudheer observed that the police cannot use the shield of “official duty” for offences.
Referring to the Supreme Court decision, the CJM observed that firing at a person cannot be considered as discharge of official duties. The CJM observed that it was prima facie a criminal offense and said that the truth can only be revealed through a proper investigation.
Published – 25 Mar 2026 11:46 IST
