The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday has instructed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to submit its survey report on the disputed Dhar’s Bhojshala complex by July 15.
The Bhojshala Complex holds religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims, with Hindus considering it a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and Muslims viewing it as the Kamal Maula mosque.
As per a 2003 arrangement, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays from sunrise to sunset, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm. The ASI began its survey at the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district on March 22, following the order of the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The High Court’s order dated March 11 directed the ASI to form an expert committee to conduct a “scientific investigation, survey, and excavation using the latest methods and techniques” and to submit the report within six weeks. During the April 29 hearing, the ASI requested additional time for the survey, and the court granted an extension of eight weeks from April 29, making it clear that no further extensions would be granted to comply with the March 11 order.
The court had initially directed the ASI to submit the exhaustive report by July 2, 2024, with the next hearing scheduled for July 4. However, during Thursday’s hearing, the ASI sought an additional four weeks to complete the report. The court, however, ordered the ASI to submit the report by July 15, with the next hearing set for July 22.
Shreesh Dubey, the lawyer representing the Hindu side, informed ANI, “A hearing regarding the Bhojshala issue was scheduled before the division bench of the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court for today. In April, the court directed the ASI to submit its survey report by July 2, but the ASI sought an additional four weeks.”
Dubey added, “During today’s hearing, the court ordered the ASI to submit the report by July 15, and the next hearing is scheduled for July 22. The ASI also requested to present the report in a sealed envelope and asked the court to provide the report to the concerned parties. The court instructed that all parties should refrain from commenting on the report until the court delivers its verdict.”
