Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday (January 8) stayed proceedings before a Sambhal trial court till February 25 in a suit filed by the Hindu side claiming Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal was built on a Hindu temple.
A bench comprising Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal stayed the proceedings before the trial court, which earlier ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, on a plea filed by the Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal challenging the trial court order.
High Court has sought responses of Centre, others within four weeks
The High Court has also sought the responses of the Centre, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Uttar Pradesh Government, the District Magistrate concerned and the plaintiffs of the suit within four weeks, Live Law reported.
The matter would be heard next on February 25.
Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal recently moved High Court
The Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal recently moved the High Court challenging the November 19 order of the trial court directing an advocate commissioner to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid.
Sambhal trial court on November 19 ordered survey of mosque
A Sambhal trial court had on November 19 allowed a plea moved by the Hindu side seeking survey of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid and ordered for the survey of the mosque, saying it is probable that the report of the survey will facilitate the court in deciding the case. The Hindu side in its suit has claimed that Shahi Jama Masjid was built on the same location where Harihar temple stood earlier.
Apex Court earlier directed Sambhal court to halt proceedings
The Supreme Court, while hearing a plea moved by the Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal challenging the trial court order had effectively stayed proceedings before the Sambhal court. The apex court directed the Sambhal court to halt proceedings in the suit and not to pass any order in the case related to survey of the mosque and not to open any survey report till the matter is heard by the appellate court.