The Allahabad High Court on Friday fixed September 26 as the next date of hearing in the long-standing Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura. Justice Ram Manohar Narain Mishra passed the order after hearing arguments and perusing documents presented by the parties.
During the hearing, the court noted that documents relating to suit number 17 were placed on record. Earlier, on July 18, the High Court had allowed an application under Order 1, Rule 8 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC), granting it representative capacity. As a result, suit number 17 will now be treated as the representative case and will be heard and decided first.
One of the plaintiffs submitted that a special appeal had also been filed before a division bench. The court clarified that if any contrary order emerges from the appellate court, it would consider the same at that stage.
The Hindu worshippers have filed 18 suits seeking possession of the land after removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque, restoration of a temple at the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and a permanent injunction against further interference.
On August 1, 2024, the High Court dismissed objections raised by the Muslim side regarding maintainability of the suits. The court held that the claims of the Hindu worshippers were maintainable and not barred by the Limitation Act, the Waqf Act, or the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits conversion of the character of religious places as they existed on August 15, 1947.
Subsequently, on October 23, 2024, the High Court rejected an application by the Shahi Idgah mosque committee seeking recall of its January 11, 2024 order consolidating all pending suits related to the dispute.
