The Supreme Court has extended its stay on the survey of the Shahi Eidgah mosque near the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura, maintaining the suspension of an advocate-commissioner’s appointment to oversee the survey. This decision was made during a recent hearing, where the bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta ordered for the matter to be listed for a detailed hearing in the first fortnight of August.
The court’s decision to extend the stay follows its earlier order on January 16, which had suspended the Allahabad High Court’s order for the advocate-commissioner’s appointment. The bench noted that it had not formally issued a notice in the plea, a necessary step for admitting a case for extensive hearing. The court directed the completion of pleadings by the parties before the next hearing in August, reaffirming the continuation of the interim order.
During the upcoming hearing, the Supreme Court will also address petitions challenging the Allahabad High Court’s decision to transfer approximately 18 suits related to the land dispute between Krishna Janmasthan and Shahi Eidgah from Mathura civil courts to itself.
The background of this legal battle includes the Allahabad High Court’s order on December 14 for a survey of the mosque, based on claims by Hindu plaintiffs that it was once a Hindu temple. This order sparked debates and legal challenges, with implications for similar disputes across India, including the ongoing Gyanvapi mosque case in Varanasi.
The Mathura dispute involves multiple suits seeking to reclaim the land where the mosque stands, demanding its return to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust. The legal complexities include arguments over the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which protects the character of places of worship existing before August 15, 1947, and restricts lawsuits aimed at altering their character.
The Supreme Court’s decision to extend the stay on the mosque survey reflects the ongoing legal scrutiny and the complex nature of the dispute, which continues to draw attention due to its historical, religious, and legal significance. The next hearing in August is expected to further delve into these intricate issues and may pave the way for significant developments in this longstanding controversy.
Sources By Agencies
