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Sambhal CO Anuj Chaudhary Transfer News: In a major police reshuffle in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district, the Circle Officer (CO) of Sambhal, Anuj Chaudhary, has been transferred to Chandausi Circle. The rejig came five months after communal violence broke out in Sambhal over the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in the city. CO Anuj Chaudhary will be replaced by 2022 batch IPS officer Alok Kumar, who previously served as the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Sambhal.

Apart from CO Anuj Chaudhary, Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi has also transferred the officers-in-charge of two other key police circles. Alok Sidhu has been given charge of the Bahjoi Circle, and Dr Pradeep Kumar, the outgoing Bahjoi CO, has been appointed as the new Traffic CO. Further changes include the transfer of Traffic CO Santosh Kumar Singh to UP Dial 112, the state's integrated emergency response system.

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According to SP Bishnoi, the reshuffle -- carried out on Saturday -- is aimed at strengthening law and order and streamlining police operations in the district, which has remained sensitive since last year's violence. District authorities said that the administrative changes are part of an effort to maintain peace and restore public confidence in the police machinery.

Who Is CO Anuj Chaudhary?

Born on August 5, 1980 in Badheri Village of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh, Anuj Chaudhary was a decorated wrestler before joining the Uttar Pradesh Police Service. Chaudhary represented India at the Summer Olympics in Athens in 2004, and has also won medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Wrestling Championships. He is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award.

Anuj Chaudhary started his police career in 2000 via sports quota and was promoted to Inspector in 2003. He later got promoted to DSP rank in 201 and served in Rampur and Sambhal districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Anuj Chaudhary Controversies

Anuj Chaudhary made headlines earlier this year with his remarks during the festival of Holi. Chaudhary asked Muslims to offer their Friday prayers at home and stated that, "The festival of colours comes only once a year, while the Friday (Jumu’ah) prayers happen 52 times in a year. If someone finds Holi colours to be an issue while going for prayers, it is better for them to stay inside until the celebrations end."

This year, Holi was celebrated on Friday and coincided with the holy month of Ramzan, when Muslims fast and offer prayers rigorously. His remarks sparked massive backlash from Muslim organisations, opposition leaders, and social activists who accused him of showing bias and attempting to suppress religious freedom.

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However, Chaudhary's remarks got a praise from UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who attributed his remarks to his background as a wrestler. "He is an Olympian, an Arjuna Awardee, a former wrestler. A wrestler speaks like a wrestler. Some people may feel offended by his words, but truth is truth, and we must accept it," CM Yogi had said.

CM Yogi's support sparked political slugfest in Uttar Pradesh with Samajwadi Party and the Congress accusing the BJP-led government of doing divisive politics and undermining religious harmony. SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav even accused Chaudhary of instigating the communal violence in Sambhal. "What can you expect from a cop who incited people during the violence? Such people will be in jails whenever there is a change of regime," Ram Gopal Yadav had said.

The controversy even prompted action from Sambhal district magistrate Dr Rajendra Pensiya, who issued a notice to officials asking them not to make statements without approval from senior authorities. "No officer should issue public statements that could hurt religious sentiments. Our priority is to maintain peace and order," the DM said.

Chaudhary has previously made headlines as well. In January this year, he stirred controversy after a video surfaced showing him participating in a religious procession while in uniform, holding a mace associated with Lord Hanuman. The incident sparked debates about his neutrality as a police officer. In response to widespread criticism, authorities issued him a notice seeking a formal explanation.

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Sambhal Violence:

On November 24, 2024, clashes erupted at the Jama Masjid in Sambhal during a survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The incident left four people dead and heightened communal tensions. The violence was linked to a long-standing dispute, with members of the Hindu community claiming that the site was originally the Harihar Temple, which was allegedly demolished in 1529 by Mughal emperor Babur, who constructed the mosque there. Police have so far arrested 79 people in the case, including three women.