Violence broke out in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, this morning during a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to over 30 police officers. The mosque, which is central to a contentious legal dispute, is claimed by petitioners to have been built on the site of a Hindu temple.

According to authorities, the violence began as a crowd of nearly 1,000 people gathered to block the survey team, which was led by an "Advocate Commissioner." The situation escalated when some members of the crowd threw stones at police officers. The mob set fire to over ten vehicles, prompting the police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. In the chaos that followed, two individuals were killed, and more than 30 police officers sustained injuries.

"Three individuals—Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman—have lost their lives in the incident," said Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, adding that several police officers, including the gunner of the Superintendent of Police, were among the injured.

The survey, which began at 7:30 am, is part of a broader legal challenge claiming that a Hindu temple was destroyed by Mughal emperor Babur in 1529 to build the mosque. Petitioners cite historical texts, such as the Baburnama and Ain-e-Akbari, as evidence of the destruction. This claim has fueled tensions in the area, and a similar survey conducted earlier this week had already stirred controversy.

Supporters of the survey argue that it is necessary to uncover historical truths, while critics, including some political leaders, view it as an infringement on religious sanctity, referencing the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which prohibits the alteration of religious sites as they existed in 1947.

Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi confirmed that some individuals had thrown stones at the police team, prompting the use of tear gas. "The police acted with restraint, and we will identify and take action against those responsible for the violence," he said.

Moradabad Police Commissioner Ananjay Kumar Singh reported that 15 people, including three women, were arrested in connection with the clashes. Videos circulating online showed stones being thrown near the mosque, and multiple vehicles were set on fire during the unrest.

Despite the disturbances, the survey was completed as planned. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, part of the survey team, confirmed that the site had been examined thoroughly, with videography and photography documenting the process. The survey report is expected to be submitted by November 29.

The incident has sparked political controversy, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav accusing the BJP-led government of deliberately creating unrest to divert attention from issues surrounding recent bypolls. "This incident was orchestrated to create chaos and prevent meaningful debate on election matters," Yadav claimed.

SP MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq also criticized the survey, invoking the Places of Worship Act, 1991, and emphasizing that the Jama Masjid is a historic site that should remain unchanged as per the Supreme Court's ruling on religious sites as they existed in 1947.