Setback To Muslim Side, Allahabad HC Upholds Survey Order Of Shahi Jama Masjid In Sambhal
In a major blow to the Muslim side, the Allahabad High Court on Monday rejected their civil petition.
The plea was filed by the mosque committee in connection with the dispute between the Sambhal Jama Masjid and Harihar Mandir. A single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal delivered the verdict, rejecting the arguments made by the Muslim side.
Earlier on May 13, the High Court had reserved its verdict after hearing counsel for the Masjid committee and plaintiff Hari Shanker Jain suit and the counsel for Archeological Survey of India.
The committee challenged the civil court’s decision dated November 19, 2024, which had ordered a survey. Jain and seven others filed the suit before a civil judge senior division, Sambhal contending the Shahi Idgah Mosque was built after demolishing a temple at Sambhal.
Reacting to the court’s order, advocate Hari Shankar Jain said, “The court rejected the Muslim side’s plea and said that the survey was correct. Whatever survey was done, it will be read out and made part of the record. If they (Muslim side) go to the Supreme Court, we are ready to welcome them.”
The original plaintiff in the case emphasised the right to access a religious site located in Mohalla Kot Purvi, Sambhal district.
The Muslim committee said that the suit was filed around noon on November 19, 2024. Within a few hours, the judge appointed an advocate commissioner and instructed him to conduct an initial survey of the mosque. This survey was carried out on the same day and again on November 24, 2024.
The court further ordered the submission of the survey report by November 29, 2024.