Uttar Pradesh: Sambhal mosque Imam fined Rs two lakh for allegedly violating loudspeaker rule

The Imam, or prayer leader, of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal was on Friday for allegedly using a loudspeaker at high volume, reported PTI.

Quoting unidentified officials, the news agency reported that the incident took place in the Anar Wali Masjid of the Kot Garvi area.

“The Imam, identified as 23-year-old Tahzeeb, was fined Rs 2 lakh as a precautionary measure and has been granted bail,” Vandana Mishra, the sub-divisional magistrate of Sambhal, was quoted as saying.

This came weeks after at least four persons died in during protests against a survey of a mosque.

On November 24, after a group of Muslims objected to a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Chandausi town.

A trial court had ordered the survey in response to a suit claiming that the mosque had been built in 1526 by Mughal ruler Babar on the site of the “centuries-old Shri Hari Har Temple dedicated to Lord Kalki”.

Thirty-two persons have been arrested for the violence during the survey, while over 400 accused persons have been identified.

On Wednesday, held meetings with representatives of Hindu and Muslim communities and “unanimously decided to remove loudspeakers installed outside religious places”, according to PTI.

The district magistrate has also against alleged encroachments and power theft...