Sambhal Mosque Row: Supreme Court Extends Status Quo

Sambhal Temple-Mosque Row

The Supreme Court on Monday extended by 2 weeks its earlier order directing status quo in the ongoing dispute concerning the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

A bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Radhe heard the matter, which has seen multiple petitions and appeals challenging survey orders related to the mosque and the adjoining Harihar Temple.

The bench noted that two separate appeals had been filed in the matter—one by the Committee of Management, Jami Masjid Sambhal, through its secretary, and another through its vice-president. The apex court directed its registry to verify the maintainability of both appeals and submit a report before further proceedings.

Differing Arguments

Appearing for the Hindu plaintiffs, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain opposed any extension of the status quo order, arguing that it could delay the proceedings unnecessarily.

On the other hand, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the mosque committee, urged the court to continue the protection until the registry’s report was filed, stressing that the matter involved sensitive religious sentiments and required careful judicial handling.

Background Of The Dispute

The case stems from a November 19, 2023 order of a Sambhal civil judge, which directed a survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. The mosque committee contested the order before the Allahabad High Court, arguing that both the survey and the underlying civil suit were not legally sustainable.

However, the High Court dismissed the challenge, upholding the civil court’s decision to appoint a commissioner and confirming the maintainability of the suit.

According to the mosque committee, while the first survey on November 19 was conducted pursuant to the court’s order, a second survey on November 24 was carried out without judicial authorization and was therefore illegal.

What Lies Ahead

With the status quo now extended for two weeks, the Supreme Court will revisit the matter once the registry submits its report on the validity of the 2 separate appeals.