Shri Krishna Janambhoomi Case: Allahabad HC Green Signals to Survey of Shahi Idgah Masjid Complex

In a pivotal development concerning the Shri Krishna Janambhoomi case, the Allahabad High Court has granted approval for a scientific survey of the Shahi Idgah complex in Mathura. The court’s decision mirrors the methodology employed in the survey of the Gyanvapi Temple in Varanasi.

On Thursday, the court appointed an advocate commissioner and granted initial consent for the survey of the Shahi Idgah complex. Details regarding the commission of advocates for the survey are set to be finalized on December 18.

Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer representing the Hindu side, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating, “Allahabad HC has allowed our application for a survey of Shahi Idgah Masjid by the advocate commissioner. The court’s rejection of Shahi Idgah Masjid’s arguments is significant. My contention was that the Shahi Idgah Masjid exhibits numerous signs and symbols of a Hindu temple, necessitating an advocate commissioner to ascertain the factual position. This ruling marks a landmark judgment by the court.”

Earlier, on November 16, the Allahabad High Court had reserved its order on the Hindu side’s plea for the appointment of a court-appointed advocate commissioner. The petitioners argued that the land in question was an integral part of Shri Krishnajanmbhoomi and served as a place of worship for Hindus. They also claimed that the Shahi Eidgah Mosque was constructed on temple land during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Previously, on May 26, the Allahabad High Court had consolidated all pending suits related to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Mosque dispute that were before the Mathura Court.

The Supreme Court, on November 10, scheduled further hearings for the Mathura Krishna Janambhoomi land dispute on January 9, 2024. Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia listed the matter for this date, emphasizing the need for both parties to submit a concise synopsis.

The Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah appealed to the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court’s decision to transfer all petitions concerning Mathura’s Krishna Janambhoomi land dispute from the District Court Mathura to itself.

Nine cases related to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah Masjid have been filed in the Mathura Court thus far. Among these cases, Ranjana Agnihotri from Lucknow filed a suit claiming ownership of the 13.37 acres of land belonging to Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. Agnihotri’s legal action seeks the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque, allegedly constructed in 1669-70 under the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, situated on the premises of the 13.37-acre Katra Keshav Dev temple, adjacent to Lord Krishna’s birthplace.