Allahabad HC Upholds Survey of Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid
The Allahabad High Court on Monday has upheld a civil court’s decision ordering a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, rejecting a plea filed by the mosque committee. The dispute centers around claims that a temple was demolished to construct the mosque.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, delivering the verdict, dismissed the Muslim side’s objections and found the survey conducted in November 2024 to be legally justified. The petition had challenged the lower court’s swift order for a survey, passed and executed on the same day the suit was filed.
The court’s ruling came after it had reserved its verdict on May 13, hearing arguments from all parties involved, including the counsel for the mosque committee, Hindu petitioner Hari Shankar Jain, and representatives of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
“The court rejected the Muslim side’s plea and said that the survey was correct. Whatever survey was done, it will be read out and made part of the record,” said advocate Hari Shankar Jain, the original plaintiff in the case.
The case dates back to a civil suit filed by Jain and seven others before the Civil Judge (Senior Division) in Sambhal on November 19, 2024. The plaintiffs alleged that the Shahi Idgah Mosque was built over a demolished Hindu temple in Mohalla Kot Purvi, Sambhal.
The same day, the civil court appointed an advocate commissioner to conduct a site survey. Initial inspections took place on November 19 and November 24, with the court directing submission of the survey report by November 29, 2024.
The mosque committee had challenged this rapid sequence of actions, calling it arbitrary and biased, and sought to halt the proceedings through the High Court.
Advocate Jain welcomed the verdict, stating, “If they (Muslim side) go to the Supreme Court, we are ready to welcome them.”
The Muslim side has not issued an official response yet but may move the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s order.
