Avdhesh Kumar with posters put up by the police in Sambhal.
Ground Report

In Sambhal, cops hunt for man already in jail over ‘photo that wasn’t his’

Over three months after the communal violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, the police have arrested 89 people so far. Yet they’re still searching for 160 others, 74 of whom haven’t even been identified yet, according to posters the police have put up in Sambhal city. 

But the police’s version of events doesn’t add up.

Take Faizan, for example. The 24-year-old was arrested on December 4 after the police showed her mother Gulshan Jahan a handful of photographs. They claimed to have photographic evidence that Faizan had pelted stones last November. When Gulshan pointed out that the photographs were not even of Faizan, she was ignored – and her son was arrested anyway.

Curiously, Faizan’s photo has now been included among the 74 “unidentified” suspects for which the police put up posters. 

Then there’s the case of Hasan and Azim, both of whom suffered gunshot wounds in November. They’re languishing in jail, and their lawyers allege they aren’t receiving appropriate medical treatment.

So, what’s the truth of all these arrests in Sambhal?

Watch.

In times of misinformation, you need news you can trust. We’ve got you covered. Subscribe to Newslaundry and power our work.

Also Read: Reporter’s diary: The Sambhal I couldn’t capture on camera