Sambhal Jama Masjid dispute: Allahabad HC to deliver verdict today
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New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict today at 2 p.m. in the high-profile dispute involving the Jama Masjid and the Harihar Mandir in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district. The judgement will be delivered by a single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal on a civil revision petition filed by the Jama Masjid Management Committee.
The case revolves around the mosque committee’s challenge to the maintainability of a suit filed in the Sambhal Civil Court, which resulted in a directive to survey the mosque premises. The civil court's order, dated November 19, 2024, instructed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with an Advocate Commissioner, to carry out a site survey. A preliminary survey began that same day and continued on November 24, during which violence erupted, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The civil court had subsequently directed the survey report to be submitted by November 29.
In response to the order, the mosque committee moved the Allahabad High Court, which took up the matter for the first time on January 8, 2025. On that day, the High Court granted an interim stay on the lower court’s survey directive and halted all proceedings in the original suit. Throughout the case, around fifteen hearings have taken place, with final arguments concluding on May 13. The judgement was reserved following the conclusion of arguments.
On March 12, the High Court had partially granted the mosque committee’s request to permit painting and maintenance of the mosque’s outer walls during Ramadan, ordering that the ASI supervise the work.
The original suit in the civil court was filed by senior Supreme Court advocate Harishankar Jain and seven others, who claim that the Jama Masjid was constructed atop a pre-existing Harihar Temple. The plaintiffs have sought the right to worship at the site, asserting that it is the original temple location.
All eyes are now on the High Court as it prepares to deliver its verdict in a case that has drawn widespread attention and holds significant implications for the region.
With IANS inputs
