India, Nov. 26 -- The Uttar Pradesh authorities on Wednesday began excavation at the site of a well in Sambhal district, where a grocery trader, Ramsharan Rastogi's body was allegedly thrown 47 years ago during the 1978 riots.

The move comes after Sambhal district magistrate (DM) Rajendra Pensiya and superintendent of police (SP) Krishan Kumar Bishnoi inspected the area on November 24, 2025, the first anniversary of the 2024 Sambhal violence, which erupted after a court-ordered archaeological survey of the 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid, allegedly built over a Hindu temple, drew thousands of protesters. Four people were killed and dozens, including policemen, were injured in the 2024 violence.

During their foot patrol, the officials als...