Sambhal: Court asks survey team to submit report within 10 days

A court in Sambhal on Friday, 29 November, directed the court-appointed commissioner to submit within 10 days the survey report on the Jama Masjid mosque following claims that a temple stood on the spot, and fixed 8 January as the next date of hearing.

The court-appointed commissioner Rakesh Singh Raghav said the matter was heard by civil judge Aditya Singh.

"The court was informed that the survey report had not been completed and additional time was needed. The court granted the request and set the hearing date for 8 January," he said.

Mosque Committee's lawyer Amir Hussain said both Hindu and the Muslim sides were present in the court besides the court commissioner, who had inspected the spot.

The court commissioner informed the court that he could not prepare the report following which the judge stated that he will not get another chance to visit the spot and asked him to prepare a report and submit it within 10 days, Hussain said.

Tensions have been escalating in Sambhal since 19 November, when a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid began following claims that a Harihar temple had once stood on the site.

The situation turned violent on 24 November during the second survey, as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security forces. The unrest resulted in stone-pelting and arson, leaving four dead and many others injured.

The bench directed the state government to maintain peace and harmony at Sambhal and set up a peace committee comprising members of both communities.

The top court further asked the Sambhal trial court to not to open any report, which may be filed before it, till the high court took up the matter and passed an order on the plea of the Muslim side.

The bench, which advised the Muslim side to move the high court against the impugned order of the district court, has kept the matter pending and ordered its listing in the week commencing 6 January 2025.

The management committee of Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid moved the Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging the 19 November order of the district court directing survey of the Mughal-era mosque while seeking an ex-parte stay on the operation of the 19 November order passed by the civil judge.

Tensions brewed in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal since 19 November when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.

On 24 November, protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson. Four people died and several others were injured in the violence.