The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday stayed the proceedings in a Sambhal civil court, which is hearing a suit that claims that the Mughal-era Jama Masjid was built by demolishing a Hindu temple.
The court passed the order while hearing a civil revision petition filed by the Shahi Jama Masjid Management Committee.
“Till the next date of listing, the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal at Chandausi is restrained from proceeding with the Original Suit No. 182 of 2024,” said the High Court.
The High Court has fixed the next date of hearing on February 25. It also directed all respondents to file counter-affidavits within two weeks.
During the hearing, Hari Shankar Jain, whose petition led to the survey of the mosque in Sambhal, told the High Court that the survey of the disputed property was complete and the report has been submitted in a sealed cover to the trial court. He further said the matter has now been adjourned to March 5 in the Sambhal court.
On November 19, the Civil Judge (Senior Division) of Sambhal passed an ex-parte order allowing a survey of the Jama Masjid by an advocate commissioner, based on a plea claiming the mosque was built after demolishing a Hindu temple. The suit was filed, and the request for appointing an advocate commissioner for the survey was granted on the same day. The survey was conducted on November 19 and again on November 24.
The Management Committee of the Shahi Jama Masjid later approached the Supreme Court, challenging the trial court’s order. The mosque committee argued that the mosque has been in existence since the 16th century and has been in continuous use by Muslims as a place of worship, but the matter was rushed through in “hot haste” after a suit was filed by eight plaintiffs who alleged that it was built after destroying the ‘Shri Hari Har Temple’.
In November, the Supreme Court in its order while underlining that “peace and harmony must prevail”, directed the trial court to temporarily halt proceedings in the matter. The Supreme Court also asked the mosque management committee to approach the Allahabad High Court against the trial court order.
On November 24, four people died of gunshot wounds metres away from the mosque after violence broke out after a survey team showed up at the mosque. The police, however, claimed the bullets were not fired by them.
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