The Supreme Court of India will hear a key plea on Monday, April 20, over the ongoing Sambhal mosque–temple dispute in Uttar Pradesh. The petition, filed by the mosque committee, challenges a lower court order that allowed a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Chandousi.
According to the apex court’s cause list, a Bench led by Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe is scheduled to take up the matter.
The dispute stems from a trial court order in Chandousi that permitted a survey of the mosque premises. Hindu plaintiffs argue that the structure stands on the remains of an ancient Harihar temple.
The mosque committee opposes this claim and has questioned both the legality and the process of the survey order. It argues that the court issued the direction without granting a proper hearing.
High Court Ruling and Appeal
The Allahabad High Court earlier upheld the survey order, finding no legal flaw in the trial court’s decision. It also refused to stay the proceedings.
Following this setback, the mosque committee moved the apex court through a special leave petition. It contends that the survey violates established legal procedures and principles of natural justice.
During earlier hearings, the Supreme Court of India directed both Hindu and Muslim parties to maintain status quo at the disputed site. This order remains in force as the case proceeds.
The case raises critical questions under the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which protects the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.
The mosque committee relies on this law to argue against any alteration of the site’s status. In contrast, the Hindu side claims the dispute falls outside the Act’s scope. It cites provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 to support its position.
ASI Stand and Ground Tensions
The Archaeological Survey of India has informed the court that the Shahi Jama Masjid qualifies as a centrally protected monument. It states that available records do not establish it as a site of public worship.
Tensions have already surfaced on the ground. Earlier, violence broke out in Sambhal during a court-ordered survey, leading to multiple deaths.
