Allahabad High Court permits to implead Union of India in Krishna Janm Bhumi Shahi Eidgah title dispute
Rajesh Kumar Pandey
Prayagraj: In the ongoing Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Mosque title dispute in Mathura, the Allahabad High Court has permitted to implead Union of India through secretary ministry of home affairs and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as respondents in the two suits.
Allowing the impleadment application moved by Hindu side – Bhagwan Shrikrishna Virajman At Katra Keshav Dev, Justice Ram Manohar Narain Mishra in its order dated March 5 has fixed April 3, 2025 as the next hearing of the case. The Hindu side is plaintiff in the suits.
The court also granted time to the Muslim side to file their objection in response to an application making prayer that at place of Shahi-Eidgah masjid the word disputed structure be noted and addressed.
The amendment application was moved by saying that the plaintiffs – the Hindu side had come to know that a notification was issued under sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act (VII of 1904) published in the official Gazette on December 27, 1920, declaring the property in question as a protected monument. It was also pleaded that the property in question was declared as a protected monument and at present the same is a centrally protected monument, therefore, it is necessary to place on record such facts by amending the plaint for proper adjudication of the case as the property in question is a centrally protected monument and the same is under the supervision and management of ASI. Thus amendment was also moved to implead them as defendants.
It is to recall that the Hindu side has filed 18 suits for possession of land after removal of structure of Shahi idgah masjid as well as for restoration of temple and for permanent injunction.
Earlier, at one stage on August 1, 2024, the high court had rejected applications of Muslim side challenging maintainability of suits of Hindu worshippers and held that all suits of Hindu worshippers are maintainable. In the August 1 order, the court had also held that these suits are not barred by Limitation Act, Waqf Act and Places of Worship Act,1991, which prohibits conversion of any religious structure as existed on August, 15,1947.
At another stage, on October 23, 2024, the high court rejected an application moved by the Shahi Eidgah mosque committee to recall the high court’s January 11, 2024 order consolidating all suits filed in connection with the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute at Mathura.
The controversy is related to Mughal emperor Aurangazeb-era Shahi Eidgah mosque at Mathura, which is alleged to have been built after demolishing a temple at the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
