Jaunpur: The Atala Mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur has approached the Allahabad High Court, challenging a local court’s May 2024 direction to allow the registration of suit claiming that the mosque was originally Atala Devi temple
Earlier this year, the suit was filed by Swaraj Vahini Association (SVA) and Santosh Kumar Mishra before a local court in the district. Through the suit, the applicants had sought a declaration from the court that the mosque that was built in 14th century, was ‘Atala Devi Mandir. It also urges the court to allow followers of Sanatan Dharma to worship at the site, a report by ‘Bar and Bench’ said.
What local court said earlier
The local court had earlier given the permission for the suit to proceed in a representative capacity. The decision was upheld by a district court in August this year. The mosque has now challenged the petition challenging these two orders in the High Court.
Hindu side’s suit fundamentally flawed: Atala Mosque
In its plea, the mosque has contended that the suit filed by Hindu side is fundamentally flawed since the plaintiff is not a juristic person. Due to this, the Hindu side lacks the legal standing to file the suit in a representative capacity, the ‘Bar and Bench’ report added further. It pointed out that the society’s by-laws do not give it permission to engage in litigation of this kind, the mosque added.
