Meerut, March 28 -- A local court in Sambhal on Thursday rejected the interim bail plea of Zafar Ali, the president of Sambhal Jama Masjid, who has been in jail since March 23 on charges of inciting violence.

The hearing took place in the court of Additional District Judge Nirbhay Narayan Rai. Zafar Ali's lawyer, Asif Akhtar, argued that the Sambhal violence was reported to have occurred on the morning of November 24, 2024.

According to the prosecution, a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was being conducted when a crowd of 700-800 people gathered and attempted to disrupt the process. However, Akhtar emphasised that the FIR did not attribute any direct involvement to Zafar Ali.

The only charge against Zafar Ali is that he held a press co...