ASI seeks time for reply, Sambhal dispute next hearing on May 5

Prayagraj: Allahabad High Court on Monday fixed May 5 for hearing in the matter of dispute related to Jama Masjid and Harihar temple at Sambhal. When the matter was taken up, counsel for Archeological Survey of India sought further time to file counter-affidavit, to which, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal granted 48 hours time to file reply and one week to the committee to submit its rejoinder while fixing May 5 for next hearing.

The matter is being heard on a revision petition filed by Masjid committee challenging a Sambhal court order by which civil court had directed archaeological survey by an advocate commissioner.

The high court earlier had stayed further trial court proceedings of original suit till next date pending before the district court at Sambhal, where Hindu side plaintiff had sought declaration to the effect that they have right of access into Shri Hari Har Temple—the alleged Jami Masjid—situated at Mohalla Kot Purvi at Sambhal district. Now, the stay will continue till next date of listing. Hearing petition filed by Committee Of Management, Jama Masjid, Ahmed Marg Kot Sambhal, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal had also directed ASI to file reply within two weeks. Since no affidavit was filed, court granted further time.

The present civil revision was filed after the order of Supreme Court in this regard challenging the entire proceedings as well as maintainability of suit before Sambhal district court.

In the petition, it has been alleged that the suit was filed on Nov 19, 2024 afternoon and within hours, the judge appointed an advocate commissioner and directed him to carry out an initial survey at the mosque, which was done on the same day, Nov 19, and again on Nov 24, 2024. The court had also directed a report of the survey be filed before it by Nov 29.

Hari Shanker Jain and seven others have filed a suit before the court of civil judge senior division, Sambhal, on the plea that Shahi Eidgah mosque was built after demolishing a temple at Sambhal.

The local court ordered survey by an advocate commissioner, on Nov 19 accepting a plea from Hindu side to the case that the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babar in 1526 after demolishing the Harihar Mandir in Sambhal.