New Delhi: In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court on Monday dismissed the revision petition filed by the Sambhal Jama Masjid committee, effectively clearing the path for an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-led survey of the historic mosque. The court rejected the Muslim side’s plea to halt the survey process, a move that could intensify communal and political tensions around the disputed site, reported the Dawat News.
The mosque management committee had challenged a previous order by the Sambhal civil court, which directed the ASI to conduct a survey of the mosque following claims by Hindu petitioners that the mosque was constructed after demolishing an ancient temple known as Harhar Mandir.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal delivered the verdict after hearing arguments from advocate Syed Faizan Ahmad Naqvi representing the mosque committee, senior advocate Hari Shankar Jain representing the Hindu side, and legal counsel for the ASI. The High Court had reserved its judgment on May 13.
Earlier, the ASI had submitted its response on May 5, and the court had granted the mosque committee time to file a reply. The final hearing took place last week, leading to today’s crucial ruling.
The dispute first erupted when advocate Hari Shankar Jain, along with seven others, filed a petition claiming that the Jama Masjid in Sambhal stands on the ruins of an ancient Hindu temple. They demanded access to the site and a full archaeological investigation.
The mosque committee’s petition aimed to stop the survey on grounds of historical inaccuracy and potential for communal disharmony. However, the High Court maintained that the civil court’s decision was lawful and survey proceedings would not be interrupted.
Violence had previously broken out in Sambhal during earlier survey attempts, resulting in the death of three individuals. With the latest court order, fresh survey activities by the ASI are expected to resume, and tension surrounding the issue may escalate.
