The district administration has issued restrictions, banning outsiders from entering the area until November 30. This decision follows violent protests against a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque, which resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to several others, including security and administrative personnel.

Late on Sunday, District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya stated that the ruling was given in accordance with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) rules. "No outsiders, other social organisations or public representatives will enter the district border without the permission of the competent officer," said the order. The BNS's Section 223 (disobedience to order lawfully proclaimed by public servant) will result in penalties for violating the order. On Sunday, clashes between demonstrators and security personnel over the Jama Masjid survey caused violence to break out in the district. While the police used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd, the demonstrators set cars on fire and threw stones at them.

"Shots were fired by miscreants... the superintendent of police's PRO suffered a gunshot to the leg, the circle officer was hit by pellets, and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence," stated Divisional Commissioner (Moradabad) Aunjaneya Kumar Singh on Sunday. In addition, a constable sustained a severe head injury, and the deputy collector fractured his leg. "Three people, identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman, have been killed," Singh said. According to the official, 21 people—including two women—have been taken into custody and an investigation has been launched. Those suspected of being involved in the assault will be charged under the strict National Security Act (NSA).

Rajender Pensiya, the district magistrate, stated, "The casualty count stands at three. The reason for the deaths of two is clear -- bullet wounds from countrymade pistols. The reason for the death of the third person is not clear but it will be after post-mortem." The district government promptly announced a 24-hour internet service suspension in Sambhal tehsil and a Monday holiday in all schools. Tension in Sambhal has been rising since November 19, following a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid. The survey was initiated after a petition claimed that a Harihar temple once existed at the site.

The situation escalated on Sunday when a large crowd gathered near the mosque and began shouting slogans as the survey team started their work. District authorities explained that the survey, originally incomplete on Tuesday, was rescheduled to Sunday to avoid clashing with afternoon prayers. Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, one of the petitioners, mentioned that the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) had directed the formation of an "advocate commission" to carry out the survey. 

He had stated that the court had ordered a report to be submitted following a survey of photographs and videography by the commission. The Archaeological Survey of India was encouraged by Jain to seize the "temple" on Sunday. The temple that formerly stood there was destroyed by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1529, according to Gopal Sharma, a local attorney for the Hindu side.