Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Monday arrested a member of the Shahi Jama Masjid management committee for allegedly misbehaving with an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team and obstructing official work during an inspection of the centrally protected mosque.
On November 14, an FIR was registered against two members of the committee for preventing government officials from performing their duty in connection with the incident that occurred on October 8.
According to officials, Sambhal Kotwali police arrested Hafiz, son of Mohammad Haseen, a resident of Kot Garvi. He was produced before the court following a complaint lodged by Vinod Kumar Rawat, an engineer from the ASI’s Meerut circle.
Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said the Jama Masjid is a centrally protected monument, and the ASI regularly undertakes painting, maintenance, and cleaning work under directions from the high court.
Bishnoi said Hafiz and another man, identified as Kashif, misbehaved with the ASI team and obstructed government duties. Both the accused were found to be members of the mosque management committee.