Lucknow, January 21, 2026: Vibhanshu Sudheer, the chief judicial magistrate of Sambhal who had directed the registration of an FIR against ASP Anuj Chaudhary and more than a dozen other police personnel in connection with the 2024 Sambhal violence, has been transferred. The transfer was part of a broader reshuffle of judicial officers ordered by the Allahabad High Court.
Sudheer was among 14 judicial officers shifted on Tuesday and has now been posted as Civil Judge (Senior Division) in Sultanpur. His transfer comes days after he ordered the registration of an FIR against ASP Anuj Chaudhary and other police officials over their alleged role during the violence that erupted in Sambhal last year.
The violence occurred during a court-mandated survey of a mosque in Sambhal, during which five people were killed and several others, including police personnel, were injured. Officials had claimed that a mob gathered at the site turned violent during the survey process.
The judicial direction to register an FIR followed a petition filed by Sambhal resident Yameen, who alleged that his son Alam was shot three times by the police on November 24, 2024, when clashes broke out in the town. In his plea, Yameen named Chaudhary and other police officers, alleging excessive use of force. Alam was also among those accused in cases related to the violence.
Despite the court’s order dated January 9, no FIR has been registered so far. Senior police officials have reportedly termed the order illegal and indicated their intent to challenge it through appropriate legal channels.
At the time of the incident, Anuj Chaudhary was serving as Circle Officer in Sambhal. He has since been promoted and is currently posted as an Additional Superintendent of Police in Firozabad. Chaudhary had earlier drawn public attention after advising Muslims to offer namaz inside their homes during Holi to avoid disturbances related to colours, a remark that had sparked political and social debate.
Family members of Alam have alleged that they were threatened following the incident. Alam’s sister claimed that the family faced pressure from the police and that her father and brother were forced to move to an undisclosed location for safety.
The Sambhal violence itself is linked to a long-standing dispute surrounding the mosque under survey. Hindu groups have claimed that the structure was built after the demolition of a temple during the Mughal era, a contention that remains sub judice.
With the magistrate who ordered the FIR now transferred and the police yet to comply with the directive, the case continues to raise questions about accountability, institutional processes, and the balance between judicial oversight and police authority in sensitive communal matters.
