Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Quashes Afroz’s NSA Detention in Sambhal Case
The Supreme Court cancelled a special detention order against Mulla Afroz.
He had been accused of helping cause violence in Sambhal.
His brother said the family was relieved by the decision.
The court said a confession allegedly given to police was not enough by itself to keep someone detained under the National Security Act.
It also ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs 10 lakh.
Afroz had already received bail in six criminal cases connected to the incident.
His brother says there was no electronic or audio-video evidence against him.
He is asking officials to investigate fairly and determine who was actually responsible.
The violence happened during a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, in which four people died and dozens were injured.
The Supreme Court quashed Mulla Afroz’s detention under the National Security Act and overturned the Allahabad High Court’s ruling.
The court ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs 10 lakh in costs.
It said an alleged police confession, without independent supporting material, could not alone justify preventive detention.
Afroz’s brother Shahroz welcomed the verdict and called for an impartial investigation into the Sambhal violence case.
Four people died and dozens were injured during clashes linked to a court-ordered survey of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24, 2024.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Mulla Afroz, his brother Shahroz, and the Uttar Pradesh government are central to the case.
- What
- The Supreme Court quashed Afroz’s preventive detention under the National Security Act, set aside the Allahabad High Court’s decision, and imposed Rs 10 lakh in costs on Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The violence occurred on November 24, 2024; Afroz was arrested on January 17, 2025, and his NSA detention order was issued on October 13, 2025. The Supreme Court verdict was reported as having been delivered on a Tuesday.
- Where
- Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
- Why
- The court found that an alleged police confession, without independent supporting evidence, could not by itself justify preventive detention.
Afroz’s family and court concerns
Authorities’ case against Afroz
Basis for detention
Afroz’s family and court concerns
Afroz’s brother said there was no electronic or audio-video evidence and asked for an impartial investigation. The Supreme Court held that the alleged police confession alone was insufficient for preventive detention.
Authorities’ case against Afroz
Afroz had been accused of inciting the Sambhal violence and was detained under the National Security Act after criminal cases were registered in connection with the incident.
Extent of alleged wrongdoing
Afroz’s family and court concerns
Shahroz said Afroz was innocent, had been earning a livelihood and educating his children, and had already obtained bail in all six related criminal cases.
Authorities’ case against Afroz
The authorities’ allegations led to Afroz’s arrest, criminal cases, and NSA detention; however, the Supreme Court set aside the detention order and the Allahabad High Court ruling that had upheld it.
- Incident date
- November 24, 2024
- Location
- Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh
- Deaths and injuries
- Four people were killed and dozens were injured
- Afroz’s arrest
- January 17, 2025
- NSA detention order
- October 13, 2025
- Government cost
- Rs 10 lakh imposed on the Uttar Pradesh government
- Related criminal cases
- Afroz had secured bail in all six cases related to the incident