CJI-led Bench to hear Sambhal case plea on November 29

Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Committee has opposed a civil court direction allowing a survey of the mosque to verify if it was built on the ruins of a temple

A Supreme Court Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is scheduled to hear on November 29 a petition filed by the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Committee against a civil court direction allowing a survey of the mosque to verify if it was built on the ruins of a temple.

The local court had passed the order on November 19, triggering violence and communal tensions across the Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh. Four people reportedly lost their lives in the violence.

Also Read: What is the controversy around the Sambhal mosque?

The committee argued that the local court order for an advocate commissioner survey was passed ex parte and hastily in a pending suit.

The plaintiffs claimed that the Shahi Jama Masjid at Chandausi was built by Mughal emperor Babar in 1526 after demolishing a temple.

Also Read : The right and the future of India’s masjids

The committee said the speed and the routine manner in which the survey was ordered and done had raised fears in the minds of the local people.

The petition invoked the Places of Worship Act, which protected the identities of religious places of all faiths. It claimed the mosque was an ancient monument and protected site. It said the extraordinary situation in this case compelled the committee to approach the apex court directly.

Published - November 28, 2024 10:20 pm IST