The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of pleas filed by the committee of management of Sambhal’s Jama Masjid challenging an order from the Allahabad High Court regarding a survey. The adjournment will last until August 18, as confirmed by the bench led by Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe.
Tuesday’s proceedings brought forth two distinct pleas from the mosque’s committee, which were centered on disputing a May 19, 2025 decision made by the Allahabad High Court. The court was made aware of a letter that circulated requesting the adjournment.
Crucially, the Supreme Court was informed that the Allahabad High Court had overstepped its authority by proceeding with a survey ordered by a local Sambhal court. This claim arose in light of directives from a Supreme Court judgement issued in December 2024.
In December 2024, the apex court issued a significant order, prohibiting all courts across the country from hearing fresh lawsuits or issuing interim directions concerning the reclaiming of religious places, notably mosques and dargahs. This decision emerged from discussions surrounding the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which is pivotal in maintaining the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.
The 1991 Act notably excludes the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute from its stipulations, emphasizing the complexities surrounding place of worship claims in India. Following the apex court’s December directive, the Allahabad High Court’s continuance with the Sambhal mosque issue raised legal eyebrows.
Moreover, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed the mosque committee’s contention against a survey ordered by the Sambhal civil court, affirming that the civil court’s direction to proceed with the survey remained valid.
The committee contested a November 19, 2024 order from the civil judge which initiated the survey of the historic mosque, asserting that this directive was carried out without proper judicial oversight. Additionally, the committee pointed to a second survey conducted on November 24, which was deemed illegal as it lacked a formal order.
The Supreme Court took action on August 22 of the previous year, agreeing to consider the mosque committee’s plea against the Allahabad High Court’s ruling. In its orders, the apex court emphasized the need for all parties involved to maintain the status quo, preserving circumstances as they were on that date.
A lawsuit had been previously filed in front of the senior division civil judge in Sambhal, arguing that the mosque’s construction was instigated by the demolition of an earlier temple, the Harihar temple. Historical claims assert that Babur, the Mughal emperor, erected the mosque in 1526.
The Supreme Court, responding to the ongoing tensions, mandated on November 29, 2024, that the Sambhal court cease any proceedings regarding the mosque and its survey. The apex court urged the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure peace and harmony within the town during this sensitive period.
