The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday reserved its judgment in the high-profile dispute concerning the Jama Masjid and the adjoining Harihar Mandir in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal reserved the verdict after extensive arguments from the counsel representing the masjid committee, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the plaintiff Hari Shanker Jain.
The case stems from a revision petition filed by the masjid committee challenging an order of the Sambhal civil court that had earlier directed the ASI, through an advocate commission, to conduct a survey of the mosque premises.
The dispute escalated after a suit was filed by Hari Shanker Jain and seven others before the Sambhal civil judge (senior division), alleging that the Shahi Idgah mosque was constructed after demolishing an ancient temple at the site located at Mohalla Kot Purvi, Sambhal.
On November 19 last year, the suit was filed and an advocate commissioner was appointed on the same day to conduct an initial survey of the mosque premises. A subsequent survey was conducted on November 24, and the court had directed that the report be submitted by November 29.
The surveys led to tensions in the locality, culminating in violent clashes between locals and law enforcement agencies. The unrest tragically resulted in the deaths of four people and left many others, including police personnel, injured.
Earlier on May 5, the ASI had submitted its counter-affidavit in the High Court. The court had then granted the masjid committee time to file a rejoinder and scheduled May 13 for the hearing.
The High Court had already stayed further proceedings of the original suit before the Sambhal district court, where the Hindu plaintiffs have sought a declaration for the right of access to the Shri Harihar Temple, which they claim was converted into the Jama Masjid.
