New Delhi
The Supreme Court on Friday directed both Hindu and Muslim parties involved in the Shahi Jama Masjid–Sri Harihar Temple dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, to maintain status quo until the next hearing on Monday.
A bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Atul S. Chandurkar was hearing a special leave petition (SLP) filed by the mosque committee. The petition challenged an Allahabad High Court ruling that upheld a Chandousi trial court’s order for a survey of the disputed site. The mosque committee also contested the High Court’s finding that the case was not barred by the Places of Worship Act, 1991, since the plea sought access under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
The Hindu side argued that an ASI-protected monument does not fall under the Places of Worship Act, citing a previous Supreme Court order. The bench asked advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain to place that order on record before the next hearing.
The dispute has drawn attention since Hindu petitioners claimed the Mughal-era mosque was built over the remains of an ancient Harihar temple, allegedly demolished in 1526 on orders of Emperor Babur. Violence broke out last November during a survey of the site, leaving at least four people dead.
The mosque committee argued that the survey order was passed hastily, without giving them adequate opportunity to respond. They also objected to the fact that two surveys were conducted within days. However, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed these objections and allowed proceedings to continue in the trial court.
