Sambhal Violence Case: Allahabad HC Grants Interim Anticipatory Bail to Injured Accused Mohd Alam

The Allahabad High Court has granted interim anticipatory bail to Mohd Alam in connection with a criminal case arising out of the violence reported in Sambhal on November 24, 2024, while allowing the State time to file its counter-affidavit.

Notably, on Alam's father’s plea alleging police firing during the 2024 violence, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Sambhal, recently directed the local police to register a first information report against senior police officials.

The single judge bench of Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha granted interim relief to Alam, who claims that he was injured in police firing during the violence.

The application arose from Case Crime No. 0333 of 2024, registered at Police Station Sambhal, District Sambhal, invoking a host of provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 191(3), 223(b), 309(4), 125, 109(1), 121(2), 121(1), 132, 221, 352, 115(2), 190 and 191(2).

Appearing for Alam, Advocate Prabhav Srivastava submitted that Alam was innocent and had approached the court apprehending his arrest in the said case. He argued that no offence was made out against Alam and pointed out that he was not even named in the first information report. It was further contended that Alam himself had suffered a gunshot injury during the alleged incident and had undergone medical treatment for the same.

Srivastava also assured the court that Alam would cooperate fully with the investigation and trial and would appear before the investigating agency or the court whenever required. He submitted that Alam would not misuse the liberty of bail and would comply with all conditions that may be imposed by the court.

On the other hand, the State sought time to file its counter-affidavit. Additional Government Advocate Roopak Chaubey opposed the anticipatory bail plea and submitted that Alam had not received any gunshot injury from police firing, disputing the claim made on his behalf.

While considering the rival submissions, court referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre v. State of Maharashtra, (2011) 1 SCC 694. The apex court in the said decision had held that while deciding an application for anticipatory bail, courts must consider the nature and gravity of the accusation, the antecedents of the accused, the possibility of the accused fleeing from justice, and carefully evaluate the available material against the accused, including the specific role attributed to them.

After taking note of the submissions advanced by both sides and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, Justice Sinha granted interim anticipatory bail to Alam. Court directed that in the event of arrest, Mohd Alam shall be released on interim anticipatory bail upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 50,000 along with two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned.

The interim protection has been granted till February 25, 2026, subject to several conditions. Alam has been directed not to tamper with the evidence and to appear before the trial court on the dates fixed, unless exempted. He has also been restrained from making any direct or indirect inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the court or to the police.

Court further directed that Alam must cooperate during the trial and must not misuse the liberty of interim anticipatory bail. He has also been restrained from leaving India without prior permission of the court concerned.

The high court made it clear that in the event of breach of any of the conditions imposed, the prosecution would be at liberty to move an appropriate application seeking cancellation of the interim anticipatory bail granted to Alam.

The matter has been directed to be listed as a fresh case on February 25, 2026. In the meantime, the State has been granted time to file its counter affidavit.

Case Title: Mohd Alam vs. State Of U.P. And 2 Others

Order Date: January 27, 2026

Bench: Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha