The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition filed by the Jama Masjid Management Committee of Sambhal, thereby upholding a lower court’s order for a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The court found no procedural irregularities in the trial court’s decision and has cleared the way for the survey to proceed.
The matter pertains to a controversial claim made in a civil suit stating that the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, was constructed in 1526 after allegedly demolishing an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s final incarnation, Kalki. Acting on this claim, the Sambhal Civil Court had, on November 19, 2024, ordered a court-monitored survey of the mosque site to ascertain the facts.
The mosque management committee challenged this order by filing a civil revision petition before the Allahabad High Court, contending that the trial court had erred in appointing a survey commissioner ex parte and that the suit itself was not maintainable.
Following detailed hearings, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal had reserved his judgment on May 15, 2025. Delivering the order today, the High Court rejected the arguments of the mosque committee, vacated the interim stay, and confirmed that the trial court acted within its jurisdiction.
Reacting to the verdict, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, posted on social media platform X:
“Mosque side petition dismissed in Sambhal issue. Argument was that court cannot appoint survey commissioner ex parte. Stay is vacated.”
Mosque side petition dismissed in sambhal issue. Argument was that court cannot appoint survey commissioner exparte. Stay is vacated.
— Vishnu Shankar Jain (@Vishnu_Jain1) May 19, 2025
The High Court’s decision is being seen as a significant step forward for the Hindu petitioners, who are seeking an archaeological investigation into the origins of the site. The survey is expected to proceed as per the original trial court order, possibly involving ground-penetrating radar and limited excavation to verify the existence of temple remnants.
Meanwhile, S.A. Naseem, counsel for the Jama Masjid committee, speaking to media said: “On November 19, 2024, the Civil Judge of Sambhal ordered a survey for excavation at the Shahi Jama Masjid. This order was challenged in the High Court. After the hearing, the judgment was reserved on May 15. Today, the High Court has given its verdict, and we will consider further legal options.”
With the stay now lifted, the authorities are expected to coordinate the survey operations in the coming weeks, amid tight security and judicial oversight.
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