Supreme Court Orders Halt to Survey of Shahi Jama Masjid, Calls for Peace in Sambhal

The Supreme Court has directed the Sambhal district administration to ensure peace and harmony in the communally sensitive area following tensions surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid. The court also ordered the trial court to suspend its proceedings, which had initiated a survey of the mosque in response to a lawsuit from Hindu plaintiffs who claim the site is actually the remains of the Harihar Temple.

The move comes after violent clashes erupted in Sambhal on November 24, which resulted in the deaths of five people. The court issued a directive to halt any further actions in the case until the Allahabad High Court hears the mosque management committee’s petition. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar ruled that the trial court should not proceed with its actions until the matter is addressed by the High Court.

Although the Supreme Court refused to immediately stop the survey ordered by the trial court, it ruled that the survey report should be kept in a sealed cover and not examined by the trial court until further notice. The court also criticized the mosque committee for bypassing the High Court and directly approaching the Supreme Court with its plea.

The court requested that the High Court prioritize the mosque committee’s appeal and hear it within three days. Importantly, the Supreme Court made it clear that it was not commenting on the merits of the case at this stage.

In response to concerns raised by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the mosque committee, the Supreme Court allowed the survey report to be filed but emphasized that it would remain sealed. Ahmadi had warned that the trial court’s order could set a dangerous precedent and lead to similar lawsuits across the country targeting other mosques.

The bench also stressed the importance of maintaining law and order in Sambhal and directed that peace committees be formed, comprising members from all communities, to ensure neutrality and prevent further disturbances. The court emphasized that the district administration must take responsibility for upholding peace and ensuring that no incidents would undermine public order.

The next hearing has been scheduled for January 6, with the trial court set to reconvene on January 8.