The scheduled hearing for the contentious property dispute involving Jama Masjid Shamsi and the Neelkanth temple in Budaun was postponed on Tuesday following the unexpected death of a key lawyer involved in the case. The next hearing is now set for December 17, as confirmed by Advocate Asrar Ahmed, who represents the Shamsi Shahi Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee and the Waqf Board.
The legal proceedings, which have captured local attention, stem from claims made in 2022 by Mukesh Patel, then convenor of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. Patel asserted that the site currently occupied by Jama Masjid Shamsi historically housed the Neelkanth Mahadev temple. This assertion has fueled a heated debate and legal battle over the rightful ownership of the land.
The situation garnered further attention following the violence on November 24 in nearby Sambhal district, which erupted during a protest against a court-ordered survey of a mosque. The protesters contended that the mosque was constructed after demolishing an ancient temple.
Jama Masjid Shamsi, located in the elevated area of Sotha Mohalla, stands as the highest structure in the town of Budaun. It is revered not only for its architectural prominence but also for its historical significance, being considered the third oldest mosque still in use in India and the seventh largest, with a capacity to accommodate 23,500 people.
