On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered status quo in connection with a private well located near the entrance of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, directing that no actions be taken without its permission. The apex court Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, while issuing a notice, instructed the authorities to file a status report within two weeks.
The petition filed by the Committee of Management of Shahi Jama Masjid also challenged a November 19, 2024 order by the Sambhal Senior Division Civil Judge that allowed the appointment of an advocate commissioner to survey the mosque. The petitioner argued that the survey led to violence and loss of life, leading the urgent intervention of the top court. Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared for the mosque committee, while speaking about the historical significance of the well, said, “We have been drawing water from the well since time immemorial.” Ahmadi also put forth concerns over a notice referring to the site as “Hari Mandir” and plans for starting religious activities there.
CJI Khanna said, “No such activities will be permitted. Please file a status report”. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who appeared for the Hindu side, said the well is outside the mosque’s purview and has historically been used for worship. Ahmadi argued the well is partly within and partly outside the mosque premises, citing a Google Maps image to support the claim.
The plea said, “Pass an appropriate direction to the District Magistrate, Sambhal to ensure that status quo is maintained with respect to the private well situated near the stairs/entrance of the Mosque and not to take any steps/actions with regard to the same without due permission from this Hon’ble Court”. The mosque committee said it has filed the plea against a November 19, 2024 order of the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Sambhal at Chandausi, in a case.
The local court permitted a plea seeking appointment of an Advocate Commissioner to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid. The mosque committee said the plea was allowed without hearing it on the same day it was filed. It said, “It was in view of a second survey having been undertaken which led to violence and loss of life that the captioned SLP was preferred under the extraordinary circumstances”.
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