Sambhal News about CO Anuj Chaudhary’s transfer: Anuj Chaudhary, the Circle Officer (CO) of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, has been moved to Chandausi Circle as part of a significant police reorganization. The change was made five months after Sambhal saw communal rioting due to the city’s Shahi Jama Masjid survey. Alok Kumar, an IPS officer from the 2022 batch who was formerly the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Sambhal, would take over for CO Anuj Chaudhary.

In addition to CO Anuj Chaudhary, the officers-in-charge of two other significant police circles have also been moved by Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi. Dr. Pradeep Kumar, the departing Bahjoi CO, has been named the new Traffic CO, and Alok Sidhu has been assigned to oversee the Bahjoi Circle. Santosh Kumar Singh, the Traffic CO, has been moved to UP Dial 112, the state’s integrated emergency response system, among other adjustments.

The reshuffle, which took place on Saturday, is intended to improve peace and order and streamline police operations in the area, which has remained sensitive since the bloodshed of the previous year, according to SP Bishnoi. According to district officials, the administrative adjustments are a part of an attempt to keep the calm and rebuild public trust in the police force.

CO Anuj Chaudhary: Who Is He?
Before enlisting in the Uttar Pradesh Police Service, Anuj Chaudhary, who was born on August 5, 1980, in Badheri Village in the Muzaffarnagar region of Uttar Pradesh, was a successful wrestler. In addition to winning medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships and the Commonwealth Games, Chaudhary represented India at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. In addition, he received the Arjuna Award.

Through a sports quota, Anuj Chaudhary began his police career in 2000 and was elevated to Inspector in 2003. He then worked in the Uttar Pradesh districts of Rampur and Sambhal after being elevated to DSP level in 201.

The Anuj Chaudhary Scandals
Anuj Chaudhary’s comments during the Holi celebration earlier this year garnered media attention. “The Friday (Jumu’ah) prayers are held 52 times a year, whereas the festival of colors only occurs once,” Chaudhary said, urging Muslims to perform their Friday prayers at home. It is preferable for someone to remain inside till the festivities are over if they find the colors of Holi problematic while attending prayers.

Holi was observed on Friday this year, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims observe strict fasting and prayer. Social activists, opposition politicians, and Muslim organizations strongly condemned his comments, accusing him of being biased and trying to stifle religious freedom.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, however, praised Chaudhary’s comments and credited them to his wrestling experience. “He used to be a wrestler, an Olympian, and an Arjuna Awardee. A wrestler’s speech is typical of a wrestler. Although his remarks may anger some, CM Yogi has said that we must accept the facts as they are.

The Samajwadi Party and the Congress accused the BJP-led government of engaging in divisive politics and threatening religious unity after CM Yogi’s backing triggered a political slugfest in Uttar Pradesh. Ram Gopal Yadav, the head of the SP, even charged Chaudhary with starting the Sambhal communal rioting. “A police officer who incited people amid the violence—what could you expect? “Whenever there is a change of government, these individuals will end up behind bars,” Ram Gopal Yadav had said.

Sambhal district magistrate Dr. Rajendra Pensiya even took action in response to the situation, sending out a letter to officials advising them not to speak without higher authorities’ consent. “No officer should say anything in public that would offend someone’s religious feelings. “Maintaining peace and order is our top priority,” the DM said.

Chaudhary has also made news in the past. He caused uproar in January of this year when a video appeared of him carrying a Lord Hanuman-related mace during a religious parade while wearing a uniform. Discussions about his impartiality as a police officer were triggered by the occurrence. Authorities sent him a letter for a formal explanation after he received a lot of criticism.

Violence in Sambhal: On November 24, 2024, fighting broke out at the Jama Masjid in Sambhal as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was conducting a survey there. Four individuals were killed in the event, which also increased tensions among the community. Members of the Hindu community claimed that the location was formerly the Harihar Temple, which was purportedly destroyed in 1529 by the Mughal emperor Babur, who built the mosque there. This argument was related to the violence. Three women are among the 79 persons the police have detained in this investigation thus far.