The Allahabad High Court has adjourned the hearing on the modalities of a survey of the Shahi Idgah complex adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura until January 17.
On December 14, the court granted permission for a court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah, stating that the details of the survey would be discussed in the next hearing.
In the Krishna Janmabhumi-Shahi Idgah case, the Hindu side sought the establishment of a commission for the survey, asserting that the mosque exhibits indications suggesting its historical roots as a Hindu temple. Justice Mayank Kumar Jain adjourned the hearing after being informed that the counsel for the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, Lucknow, would be unable to attend court due to the demise of his father.
The judge remarked, “Punit Kumar Gupta, the learned counsel of the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, Lucknow, has submitted an application citing the demise of his father, preventing his presence in court. Gupta is also scheduled to present arguments on the composition and modalities of the commission.”
At the commencement of the hearing, a request was made on behalf of the Muslim side to adjourn the proceedings, citing a pending special leave petition (SLP) against the survey commission order, which is likely to be heard on January 16. Additionally, it was mentioned that the counsel Punit Gupta’s father had passed away.
Regarding the modalities and composition of the commission, the counsel for the Hindu side emphasized that the order for forming the survey team would not adversely affect any party. They urged the court to issue the order for constituting the team and appoint a retired judge from the high court to lead it.
On December 14, the high court had approved the appointment of an advocate-commissioner to supervise the survey of the mosque. Justice Jain, presiding over a suit filed by the deity Bhagwan Shrikrishna Virajman at Katra Keshav Dev and seven others, had granted approval for the commission survey.
