New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 29) granted two weeks to the Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal to file its response to a status report saying the disputed well is “totally outside” the mosque.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar directed the Masjid Committee to file its response to the status report in two weeks.
Well is ‘totally outside the mosque: Uttar Pradesh Government
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Natraj, who appeared for the Uttar Pradesh government and other authorities, told the top court bench that the well in question was situated after a police post and is “totally outside” the mosque.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared for the mosque committee, sought three weeks’ time to file its response on the ground that Zafar Ali, the president of the mosque committee, was in jail.
Ali was arrested on March 23 after being questioned in connection with the violence during a protest against a court-ordered survey of the mosque on November 24, 2024.
“Take a ‘mulaqat’ (meeting with an inmate in jail) and do it. Somebody else can also file the response. Please do it in two weeks only,” CJI Khanna said and deferred the hearing on the plea.
What did the apex court order earlier?
The apex court earlier on January 10 directed the Sambhal district magistrate to maintain the status quo on reviving or allowing prayers at a “private” well located near the entrance of the Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal.
The top court, while hearing a plea by the Mosque Committee, issued notices to the Centre, the director general of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), district magistrate of Sambhal and other private Hindu side litigants.
What has the Sambhal Mosque Committee said?
The mosque committee has said that the Sambhal district administration was conducting a “purported drive” to revive old temples and wells in the Sambhal and alleged that a well in the mosque precincts was among the list of wells sought to be revived by the Sambhal district administration. It sought a direction to the district magistrate, Sambhal to ensure status quo with respect to the “private well situated near the stairs/entrance of the mosque and not take any steps/actions with regard to the same without due permission from this court”.
The top court directed the Sambhal district magistrate not to give “effect to the notice” with regard to the well near the mosque and maintain status quo.
Sambhal Mosque Committee moved apex court against Sambhal court order
The Mosque Committee moved the top court in November last year against a Sambhal court order allowing a plea by the Hindu side for appointment of an advocate commissioner to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid.
The top court, while hearing the plea of the Mosque Committee on November 29 last year, directed the Sambhal court to halt proceedings in the case over the mosque and its survey at Chandausi and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain peace and harmony in Sambhal where four persons lost their lives and several were injured in the November 24 violence during a protest against a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
