By Rajesh Pandey
Prayagraj: In the matter of dispute relating to Jama Masjid and Harihar temple at Shambhal, Allahabad High Court on Monday fixed May, 5 ,2025 for hearing.
On Monday, when the matter was taken up, counsel for the Archeological Survey of India sought further time to file counter counter-affidavit in the matter. On which Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal granted 48 hours to him to file reply and one week to the committee to file its rejoinder and fixed May 5 next for hearing.
The matter is being heard on a revision petition filed by Masjid committee challenging an Shambhal court order by which civil court had directed Archaeological Survey by a advocate commissoiner.
The high court earlier had stayed the further trial court proceedings of original suit till next date pending before the district court at Sambhal, where Hindu side plaintiff had sought declaration to the effect that they have the right of access into Shri Hari Har Temple, which is alleged Jami Masjid situated at Mohalla Kot Purvi at Sambhal district.
Now, the stay will continue till the next date of listing.
Hearing petition filed by the Committee Of Management, Jami Masjid, Sambhal Ahmed Marg Kot Sambhal, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal also had directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to file reply within two weeks . But as no court affidavit was filed court granted further time.
The present civil revision was filed after the order of Supreme Court in this regard challenging the entire proceedings as well as maintainability of suit before Sambhal district court.
In the petition, it has been alleged that the suit was filed on November 19, 2024 afternoon, and within hours, the judge appointed an advocate commissioner and directed him to carry out an initial survey at the mosque, which was done on the same day i.e. on November 19, and again on November 24, 2024.
The court had also directed that a report of the survey be filed before it by November 29.
It is to recall that Hari Shanker Jain and seven others have filed a Suit before the court of the civil judge senior division, Sambhal, on the plea that Shahi Eidgah mosque was built after demolishing a temple at Sambhal.
The local court, which ordered the survey by an advocate commissioner on November 19, accepted a plea from the Hindu side to the case that the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1526 after demolishing the Harihar Mandir in Sambhal.