Overview
- The interim stay pauses the Sambhal CJM’s 9 January direction to register an FIR naming ASP Anuj Chaudhary, Inspector Anuj Tomar and others over alleged police firing that injured a youth during the November 2024 unrest.
- The court said the stay will continue pending the complainant’s counter‑affidavit and kept the question of the petitions’ maintainability open for later consideration.
- Uttar Pradesh’s counsel argued the CJM acted under BNSS Section 175 without complying with Section 175(4) safeguards, including considering a superior officer’s report and the accused officers’ assertions.
- The CJM’s earlier order held that ‘official duty’ cannot shield criminal acts such as firing at individuals and found a prima facie cognisable offence; he was transferred to Sultanpur shortly after issuing it.
- The case traces back to violence during a court‑ordered, ASI‑monitored survey of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid, which left several dead and injured, with the state and officers now seeking quashing of the FIR direction.