Prayagraj, July 6, 2024: The Allahabad High Court has requested a response from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regarding a suit seeking a survey of Jama Masjid in Agra. The suit claims that the remains of an idol from the demolished Keshav Dev temple in Krishna Janmabhoomi are buried within the mosque premises.
The plaintiffs assert that Mughal king Aurangzeb demolished the Keshav Dev temple in Mathura in 1670 and buried the idol remains under Jama Masjid in Agra. They have requested an ASI survey and the appointment of an advocate commissioner for the mosque.
Justice Mayank Kumar Jain issued the order on Thursday during a hearing of the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case, filed in the name of the deity Thakur Keshav Dev Ji, Maharaj Virajman Mandir Katra Keshav Dev. The court observed, “An application (A-5) is moved on behalf of plaintiffs to direct the respondent-authority to make SIT Report as well as Archaeological Survey by the competent authority and Advocate Commissioner also be appointed. Sri Manoj Kumar Singh, learned counsel for the defendants may file reply to this application by the date fixed.”
Previously, the management committee of Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura had filed an impleadment application, requesting to be added as a defendant in the suit. A copy of the application was provided to the plaintiffs during the hearing.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 5, 2024.
