The Supreme Court on Friday intervened in the ongoing dispute surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, by directing the local court to defer any actions related to its recent survey order. The apex court’s decision comes amid escalating tensions and violence in the region following the civil court’s directive to survey the mosque, which some claim was built over a demolished temple during the Mughal era.
Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar emphasized the need for maintaining peace and advised that the matter be brought before an appropriate forum under the Code of Civil Procedure. The Court expressed its concerns over the potential disturbances the survey could cause and opted to keep the matter open for further review.
The directive from the Supreme Court was a response to an appeal against the Sambhal civil court’s decision, which was initially made on November 19. The local court had appointed an advocate commissioner to oversee the survey and report back by the end of November. This decision sparked widespread protests, leading to unfortunate incidents of violence that resulted in the death of four individuals.
Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, along with seven others, had filed the original plea for the survey, citing historical claims about the mosque’s location. However, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling has paused these proceedings, citing the need for a careful and considerate approach to such sensitive issues. Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the mosque’s committee, argued that the survey order could lead to significant public unrest and should not have been issued hastily.
In their deliberations, the justices highlighted the importance of mediation and neutral arbitration in resolving such disputes, suggesting that local mediation committees could play a constructive role. The Court has scheduled a further hearing for early January, hoping that the High Court will address any appeals swiftly to prevent further escalation.
