The Uttar Pradesh government has directed the reopening of the case concerning the 1976 Sambhal riots, following a 46-year-long gap. The investigation is set to be revisited after the state government sought a fresh probe into the incident, which led to the deaths of nearly 184 people in the region. Authorities have instructed the local police and administration to submit a report within seven days.
The Sambhal riots, which took place in the late 1970s, left a profound scar on the city and its inhabitants. At the time, Sambhal was part of the Moradabad district, and the violence began after the murder of a mosque cleric. The tensions escalated over time, culminating in a series of violent clashes between two communities. The violence reached its peak in 1978 when large-scale riots broke out, marking one of the most devastating incidents in the region’s history.
The investigation into the riots has been mired in controversy. Despite the involvement of 48 individuals in the case, all accused were acquitted in 2010 due to a lack of concrete evidence. The verdict, delivered by the court, was met with disappointment by the victims’ families, as many believed justice had not been served. In fact, the judge who delivered the order remarked that it was difficult to believe that those responsible for such brutality were not brought to justice.
The fresh investigation into the 1976 incident comes in the wake of a letter written by MLC Shrichand Sharma on December 17, 2024, requesting the government to reopen the case. Following this, the Home Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, Satyendra Pratap Singh, took prompt action on January 6, 2025, and directed the Sambhal police to submit a report on the matter within a week.
The fresh inquiry has been assigned to Additional SP Shreesh Chandra, with the District Magistrate (DM) Rajender Pensiya tasked with appointing an official from the administration to conduct a joint investigation. This move underscores the government’s renewed commitment to seeking justice for the victims, many of whom have lived with the scars of the violence for decades.
The riots in Sambhal were initially sparked by communal tensions surrounding the Holika Dahan festival, with a rumour spreading that a shopkeeper from one community had killed a person from the other community. The violence that ensued resulted in widespread destruction, with businesses and homes being looted and destroyed. Many people took refuge in the office of SDM Ramesh Chandra Mathur, and several others sought shelter in the mansion of businessman Banwari Lal, who ultimately lost his life in the riots.
Banwari Lal, a well-known businessman, had gone to the riot-affected area despite his family’s warnings. Tragically, he was captured by the rioters, who brutally killed him, severing his limbs. His family was left devastated, and in 1995, they moved away from Sambhal, unable to cope with the loss and the continuing threats.
In addition to the violent deaths, the riots led to extensive displacement and loss. Many victims’ bodies were never found, and the community reported that effigies were cremated in place of the missing individuals. Over 100 families in the Khaggu Sarai area were directly affected, losing loved ones or witnessing the devastation firsthand.
With the case now under fresh scrutiny, there is hope among the families and survivors that they will finally see justice served for the atrocities committed during the Sambhal riots. The upcoming report and further investigations will likely shed more light on the violence that took place nearly five decades ago and bring the long-awaited closure to this dark chapter in the region’s history.
BY – KARTIK
