New Delhi, April 5: The ongoing legal battle surrounding the Shahi Idgah case took a new turn on Thursday as the Hindu side countered arguments put forth by the Shahi Idgah committee in the Allahabad High Court. The Hindu side argued that the matter of the mosque’s removal falls outside the jurisdiction of the Waqf tribunal, asserting that only a civil court has the authority to adjudicate the dispute.
Representing the Hindu side, Ajay Kumar Singh emphasized that the present dispute transcends the scope of the Waqf tribunal, citing jurisdictional limitations. He maintained that the civil court is the appropriate forum to resolve the contentious issue.
In response to these assertions, Taslima Aziz Ahmadi, representing the Muslim side, reiterated the stance put forward during the previous hearing on April 1. Ahmadi contended that since the dispute pertains to Waqf property, the provisions of the Waqf Act should govern the proceedings, thereby granting jurisdiction to the Waqf tribunal.
During Thursday’s proceedings conducted via video conferencing, Ahmadi requested additional time to consolidate her arguments before the court.
The Allahabad High Court, acknowledging the complexity of the case, scheduled the next hearing for April 18 due to time constraints.
Singh also referenced a Supreme Court judgment from 1999, underscoring that religious disputes are to be adjudicated by civil courts, thereby reinforcing the Hindu side’s stance on the matter.
The legal tussle over the Shahi Idgah case continues to unfold, with both sides presenting contrasting interpretations of jurisdictional authority and legal precedence. As the proceedings progress, the quest for a resolution to this longstanding dispute remains ongoing.
