Allahabad HC stays trial in Sambhal Mosque case until Feb 25

The Allahabad High Court has stayed proceedings in a Sambhal trial court related to a suit claiming that Chandausi's Shahi Jama Mosque was built after demolishing a Hindu temple. The stay is effective until February 25, when the matter will be heard next.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal issued the stay while hearing a civil revision plea filed by the Shahi Jama Mosque Committee. The plea challenges the trial court's November 19 order appointing an Advocate Commissioner to survey the mosque premises. The High Court also directed the Union of India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Uttar Pradesh Government, the District Magistrate of Sambhal, and the plaintiffs in the case to submit their responses within four weeks.

The case originates from a suit filed by eight plaintiffs, including Mahant Rishiraj Giri, alleging that the Shahi Jama Mosque stands on the ruins of the Hari Har Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to Kalki, the last avatar of Lord Vishnu. According to the plaintiffs, the temple was demolished in 1526 on the orders of Mughal ruler Babar, and parts of it were converted into a mosque.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had effectively stayed the trial court proceedings in November last year, directing the court to pause until the Allahabad High Court reviewed the case. The order by Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh in November, which initiated the controversial survey, sparked violence in Chandausi on November 24, leading to four deaths.