Sambhal Temple-Mosque Row: UP Court Sets Aug 28 To Hear Case

Sambhal Temple-Mosque Row

A civil court in Chandausi on Thursday deferred the hearing of the ongoing Shahi Jama Masjid–Harihar temple dispute to August 28. The matter came up before Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh.

During the hearing, the Muslim side filed an application arguing that since the dispute is already pending before the Supreme Court, the trial court does not have jurisdiction to continue proceedings. Following this submission, the court adjourned the matter to August 28 and directed that objections, if any, be filed by that date.

Muslim Side’s Stand

Advocate Qasim Jamal, appearing for the mosque management, confirmed filing the application along with a judgment related to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

“It was directed that till the Supreme Court hears the matter, no religious disputes should be heard by any other court. Neither any case can be heard nor any action taken when the apex court has already imposed a stay till the next hearing,” Jamal told reporters. He added that allowing the trial court to proceed would amount to a violation of the Supreme Court’s guidelines.

Hindu Side’s Position

On the other hand, advocate Shri Shri Gopal Sharma, representing the Hindu petitioners, maintained that the case should proceed before the trial court despite the submissions of the opposite side.

The Hindu petitioners, represented by advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain, had filed the suit on November 19, 2023, claiming that the mosque was constructed over a pre-existing Harihar temple.

Court Ruling

The Muslim side had earlier challenged the maintainability of the case in the Allahabad High Court. However, on May 19, the high court upheld the trial court’s order permitting a court-monitored survey of the disputed site and directed the proceedings to continue.

Background & Violence

Following the original petition, a court-ordered survey of the mosque premises was carried out on November 19, 2023, and again on November 24. The second survey triggered significant unrest in Sambhal district, leaving four people dead and 29 police personnel injured.

In the aftermath, the police registered cases against several individuals, including Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and mosque committee head Zafar Ali. An FIR was also lodged against 2,750 unidentified persons in connection with the violence.

The trial court will next hear the matter on August 28, when objections to the jurisdictional challenge are expected to be filed. The outcome will likely depend on how the Supreme Court’s pending proceedings intersect with the trial court’s authority in the sensitive dispute.