Sambhal mosque authorities trying public land encroachment, UP govt to Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has told the Supreme Court that the authorities of the Sambhal mosque are trying to encroach upon public land. In a status report submitted to the court on Monday, the government also alleged that the mosque authorities had presented misleading photographs in court regarding the 16th-century mosque, which is mired in a dispute that triggered widespread violence last December.

The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal is at the centre of a legal battle amid claims by Hindu petitioners that the mosque was constructed over a Hindu temple.

In its report, the government pointed out that both the mosque and the well, which have been central to the issue, are situated on a public land. It underlined that the mosque authorities are attempting to claim private rights over them.

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The report said, “It is submitted that the well is a public well and is not situated anywhere inside the mosque (or the) dispute religious site…there is no access to the subject well from inside the mosque…(it) has no connection with the disputed site.” It added that the well has been used by people of all communities for generations.

‘Misconceived’ application

Last month, the mosque committee had mentioned a Google Maps image to contend that the well was within the mosque complex. But, the government said the petitioner has shown misleading photographs and dubbed their application as “misconceived”.

The government stated that this well is one of 19 in Sambhal being restored by the district administration for rainwater harvesting and water recharge. It stressed that reviving these historic wells is culturally important and is expected to enhance tourism.

Last month, the Supreme Court had ordered status quo on an application by the mosque committee in the matter. The government urged the court to dismiss it. On Monday, it said, “The mosque committee’s application is not only an attempt to fail the revival process but also harmful to the conservation, development, and environment of the area.”

The report follows a Supreme Court order last month that stayed the local administration’s notice allowing puja at the well. The court had clarified that while the well could be used by the public, religious rituals were not allowed.