Allahabad High Court Upholds Civil Court Order in Sambhal Religious Site Dispute

Prayagraj, May 19 — In a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute over the Sambhal Jama Masjid and Harihar Mandir, the Allahabad High Court on Monday dismissed a civil petition filed by the mosque management committee. The petition had challenged an earlier order directing a survey of the contested site.

The ruling was delivered by a single-judge bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, who upheld the civil court’s order and rejected the contentions presented by the mosque committee.

The matter pertains to a suit filed by advocate Hari Shankar Jain and seven others, claiming that the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Sambhal was constructed after the demolition of a pre-existing Hindu temple. The suit is currently pending before the Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal.

On November 19, 2024, the trial court had ordered a survey of the site, a move contested by the mosque committee on legal grounds. The High Court had reserved its judgment in the matter on May 13, following arguments from counsel representing the mosque committee, the plaintiffs, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Responding to Monday’s decision, advocate Hari Shankar Jain stated:

“The court rejected the Muslim side’s plea and upheld the survey. Whatever survey has been conducted will now be formally recorded and become part of the judicial proceedings. If they (the Muslim side) choose to appeal to the Supreme Court, we are fully prepared to respond.”

The ruling is expected to have wide-ranging implications for the case as it proceeds through the judicial system. As of now, there has been no official statement from the mosque committee regarding a possible appeal.