The Allahabad High Court on Friday directed parties involved in the Krishna Janmbhumi–Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura to file their objections in several pending applications by February 20, 2026, in a move aimed at streamlining the adjudication of the voluminous litigation surrounding the contested religious site.
Justice Avnish Saxena passed the direction while hearing multiple applications filed in connection with the ongoing litigation over the land claimed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, where the Shahi Idgah mosque currently stands.
During the hearing, an application was moved by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain seeking the appointment of a common representative for all related suits. The court noted that it would consider and pass appropriate orders on that application on the next date of hearing.
Observing the complexity of the matter, the Court recorded that “the record is voluminous” and called upon the parties to the suits to file objections in all pending applications “so that the applications could be decided at an early date.”
At the heart of the dispute is the centuries-old Shahi Idgah mosque, which a section of Hindu worshippers allege was constructed after demolishing a temple marking the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The Hindu side has filed 18 separate suits seeking the removal of the mosque and restoration of the original temple structure.
Earlier, in a significant ruling on August 1, 2024, the High Court dismissed the preliminary objections raised by the Muslim side, which challenged the maintainability of the suits brought by Hindu devotees. In that ruling, the Court held that the suits were not barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits the conversion of the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947. The Court also rejected the bar of limitation and the applicability of the Waqf Act as grounds for dismissal.
The High Court has now fixed the matter for further proceedings on February 20, 2026. On that date, it is expected to take up the application regarding common representation and begin hearing arguments on the pending applications once the objections are filed by all parties.
