The Allahabad High Court on Friday fixed January 30 as the next date of hearing in the long-running dispute relating to the Krishna Janmabhoomi and the Shahi Idgah mosque at Mathura.
Justice Avnish Saxena, who is hearing the matter, verified documents concerning certain amendments made in the pleadings during the proceedings.
Earlier, the court had noted that the record in the case is extensive and had directed the parties to file objections in all pending applications so that they could be decided expeditiously. “The record is voluminous. The parties to the suit may file the objections in all the pending applications so that the applications could be decided at an early date,” the court had observed.
The dispute stems from a series of suits filed by the Hindu side seeking possession of land after the removal of the structure of the Shahi Idgah Masjid, restoration of the temple, and a permanent injunction. In total, 18 suits have been filed by Hindu worshippers in connection with the site.
A significant development in the case came on August 1, 2024, when the high court rejected applications filed by the Muslim side challenging the maintainability of the suits. The court held that all the suits filed by Hindu worshippers were maintainable.
In the same order, the court also ruled that the suits were not barred by the Limitation Act, the Waqf Act, or the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits the conversion of any religious structure as it existed on August 15, 1947.
The controversy relates to the Shahi Idgah mosque, which dates back to the Mughal era under Emperor Aurangzeb. The Hindu side has alleged that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a temple at the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
The matter will now come up for further consideration before the high court on January 30.
