Rajesh Pandey
PRAYAGRAJ— The Allahabad High Court on Thursday announced that the next hearing in the high-profile Krishna Janmbhumi-Shahi Eidgah mosque title dispute case will be held on November 7, 2025.
The case, which has been at the center of legal and religious debate for decades, pertains to claims over the disputed land at the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura.
Justice Avinash Saxena, who has been assigned the matter following the transfer of Justice Ram Manohar Narain Mishra to the Lucknow bench, presided over the proceedings.
The hearing began with a thorough verification of the documents submitted by the parties involved.
Justice Saxena instructed the counsels representing both sides to file replies on all pending applications.
Additionally, he directed that written statements be submitted in all suits where they have not yet been filed, ensuring that the legal process moves forward in an orderly manner.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The controversy centers on the Shahi Eidgah mosque, which is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, allegedly after the demolition of a temple at the Krishna Janmbhumi site — the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
The Hindu parties claim that the mosque was built over sacred land and have filed 18 separate suits seeking possession of the land, removal of the mosque structure, restoration of the temple, and a permanent injunction against the mosque’s occupation of the site.
The case has seen numerous legal battles over the years, with both Hindu and Muslim parties presenting historical, religious, and legal arguments.
Key Legal Developments So Far
- On August 1, 2024, the Allahabad High Court rejected the Muslim side’s applications challenging the maintainability of the Hindu suits. The court clarified that the suits filed by Hindu worshippers are indeed maintainable in law.
- In the same order, the court held that the suits are not barred by the Limitation Act, the Waqf Act, or the Places of Worship Act, 1991 — legislation which generally prohibits conversion or claims over religious structures as they existed on August 15, 1947.
- Earlier, the court also dismissed an application seeking to replace the term “Shahi Idgah Mosque” with “disputed structure” in all ongoing proceedings, maintaining the original nomenclature in court records.
Current Status and Next Steps
During Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Saxena emphasized procedural compliance and the need for complete documentation from both parties.
He noted that written statements and replies on pending applications are essential for the court to proceed with hearings on the complex historical, religious, and legal questions involved.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 7, 2025, when the court is expected to take further steps in addressing the claims of possession, restoration, and injunction submitted by the Hindu parties, while also considering responses from the Muslim side.
This case remains one of the most sensitive and closely watched legal disputes in India, involving issues of religious sentiment, historical heritage, and property rights.