Sambhal mosque chief denied medicines in jail, says bro; MP Barq slams ‘mistreatment’

Bareilly: The head of Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid committee is allegedly being "mistreated in jail and not even being given medicines" since his arrest on Sunday. The brother of Zafar Ali, 64, and Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur Rahman Barq have raised concerns over his safety. Jail authorities have refuted all the allegations. Meanwhile, lawyers in Sambhal have announced a strike until March 27 in support of Zafar Ali, who is also an advocate and a member of the Sambhal Bar Association.
Zafar's brother, Tahir, said, "The jail authorities are not allowing us to meet him. He is being treated like a hardened criminal and his life is in danger. He is an elderly person and he isn't being given his medication. He always supported police and district administration."
Refuting the claims, Moradabad district jailor Dr Suresh Kumar Mishra, where Zafar is lodged, told TOI, "The allegations are baseless as Zafar has no health problems in jail. We have a medical centre on the jail premises where two doctors are deployed and sufficient medicines are available. Additionally, I am a doctor myself. In case of any medical emergency, we shift inmates to the district hospital immediately."
Barq, also a named accused in the case, also criticised Zafar's arrest and his treatment behind bars. Speaking from Delhi on Monday, he said, "A senior police officer was seen threatening the community and using derogatory language when they sought permission for Neja Mela (the permission for which has been denied as it commemorates Syed Salar Masood Ghazi, a commander and nephew of Mahmud Ghaznavi's who, according to cops, is linked to "plundering and violence" ). Do they want a promotion? Those who claim loyalty to the Constitution are now undermining it. Arresting Zafar during Ramzan is unjust. His only crime was exposing the police for firing shots."
Zafar was arrested for allegedly "inciting a mob and triggering communal clashes" that erupted in Sambhal on Nove 24 during a court-ordered survey of the mosque. Five locals were killed and several policemen were injured in the violence.
On Tuesday, an SIT team visited Barq's residence with a notice under section 35-3 of BNS over an inflammatory speech allegedly delivered before the violence. The team returned without serving the notice as the MP was in Delhi. Sambhal SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said the notice would be served once the MP returned. The investigator is seeking his cooperation in the investigation of the cases related to the incident.