SC Reserves Verdict On Sambhal Mosque Survey
The high court had dismissed the mosque committee's plea against the survey ordered by the Sambhal court: Reports
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on pleas challenging a survey ordered by a Sambhal court in the Shahi Jama Masjid dispute.
A two-judge bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe was hearing two petitions filed by the management committee of Sambhal's Jama Masjid challenging a May 19, 2025 order of the Allahabad High Court.
The high court had dismissed the mosque committee's plea against the survey ordered by the Sambhal court, upholding the civil court's direction for the survey.
The high court had said the order to appoint a court commissioner and the suit were maintainable.
Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the apex court on Friday that the state does not want to get into the respective claims of the parties.
"As the State, we don't want to get into the respective claims of either of the parties. As the State, we are committed and bound to protect the interests of all," the law officer said.
He referred to the provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
The 1991 law prohibits conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. However, the dispute relating to Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid at Ayodhya was kept out of its purview.
The top court also heard the submissions advanced by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared for the mosque committee, and advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain who represented some Hindu parties.
