NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended its interim stay on the Allahabad High Court's December 14, 2023 order directing a survey of the Shahi Eidgah mosque abutting the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura.
Supreme Court Extends Stay on Shahi Eidgah Mosque Survey in Mathura
The Allahabad High Court on December 14, 2023 allowed the primary survey of the Shahi Idgah complex adjacent to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura by a court-monitored three-member team of advocate commissioners.
Also Read: SC unwilling to intervene consolidation of suits on Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Eidgah land dispute
The court had then passed the order on a petition filed on behalf of the deity (Bhagwan Shree Krishna Virajman) through Hari Shankar Jain and others. The petitioners contended that the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb after demolishing a part of Lord Krishna’s birthplace.
Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple Land Dispute: SC Delays Survey of Shahi Eidgah
The petitioners have claimed ownership over the entire 13.37 acres of land on which the structures are situated. They have also challenged the 1968 agreement between the Shahi Idgah Mosque Committee and the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust that allowed the mosque to use the land on which it was situated.
On Wednesday, taking up a plea by the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah, a bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Vishwanathan ordered to list the petitions in the week commencing April 1, 2025.
Notably, the top court is in seisin also with the challenge to the Allahabad High Court's decision to consolidate nearly 18 suits relating to Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Eidgah land dispute. The High Court had then transferred those suits to itself from various civil courts in Mathura.
Also Read: Gyanvapi mosque committee seeks intervention in pleas against 1991 Act
The High Court had on May 26, 2023 decided to hear itself nearly 18 suits relating to Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Eidgah land dispute by transferring those to itself from various civil courts in Mathura.
On August 1, 2024, the High Court said the trial in 18 suits relating to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute could continue, as it dismissed the challenge by the mosque management committee.
