No survey at Mathura’s Shahi Idgah mosque for now, Supreme Court pauses order

Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (January 16) stayed the implementation of the Allahabad High Court order for the court-monitored survey of Shahi Idgah adjoining Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura. 

The apex court sought a reply from Hindu outfit Bhagwan ShriKrishna Virajman, and others on a plea of the mosque committee against the HC order on the survey of Shahi Idgah.

However, the court allowed proceedings before Allahabad High Court to continue in cases related to the dispute over the shifting of Shahi Masjid Idgah in Mathura.

Earlier, the top court, on December 15 last year, had the court declined to grant a stay on the Allahabad High Court’s decision, which permitted the court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah. The court advised the Muslim side had asked them to challenge the order through a formal appeal instead of seeking a stay through an oral plea.

Mosque committee moves Supreme Court

The mosque committee has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the Allahabad High Court order that permitted a court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah near the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura.

The Committee of Management, Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah, has filed the appeal to formally challenge the high court’s decision.

 In their plea, the mosque committee argues that the high court should have considered their petition for the rejection of the plea before addressing any other miscellaneous applications in the lawsuit. They contend that the lawsuit is barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits the alteration of the character of religious places.

High Court allows court-monitored survey of mosque

On December 14, 2023, the High Court permitted a court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah and approved the appointment of a court commissioner to supervise the survey of the mosque premises. The Hindu side contends that there are signs indicating it was once a Hindu temple. 

They had requested the formation of a commission for the survey. The high court, while allowing the plea for a court-monitored survey, emphasized that no harm should be caused to the Mathura structure during the survey, which could potentially be overseen by a three-member commission of advocates.

(With PTI inputs)