IndiaPosted at: Sep 25 2026 9:38PM


Sambhal mosque survey case: SC reserves verdict on Masjid Committee’s challenge

Parmod Kumar

New Delhi, Sep. 25 (UNI) The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a plea by the Sambhal Jama Masjid Committee challenging the survey of the mosque ordered by a trial court in a civil suit filed by Hindu plaintiffs claiming religious rights at the site.

The dispute turns on the applicability of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, the validity of appointing an advocate commissioner for a local survey and the claim that the structure is a protected monument falling within an exception to the 1991 law.

A bench comprising Justice Panidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe reserved judgment on Thursday - September 24 - after hearing senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi and advocate Nizam Pasha for the mosque committee, advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain for the Hindu plaintiffs and Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj for the Uttar Pradesh government.

The mosque committee challenged the Allahabad High Court’s order upholding the trial court’s appointment of an advocate commissioner to survey the mosque. It argued that the suit itself was barred by the Places of Worship Act and that a survey could not have been ordered without prior notice. It also contended that a commission could not be used as a means to collect evidence for the plaintiffs.

Jain, appearing for the Hindu plaintiffs, submitted that the Sambhal Jama Masjid was a protected monument and therefore covered by the exception under Section 4(3)(a) of the 1991 Act. He said the monument had been protected since 1920 and relied on the Supreme Court’s Bhojshala proceedings to argue that the Act did not create an absolute bar in cases involving protected monuments.

The State government said it would not enter into the merits of the underlying religious dispute. ASG Nataraj submitted that applicability of the 1991 law would depend on whether the suit sought alteration or conversion of the religious character of the site.
The Allahabad High Court had upheld the survey order in May 2025.

The dispute stems from a 2024 civil suit in which Hindu plaintiffs claim that the present mosque stands at the site of an earlier temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Kalki avatar. They allege that the temple was demolished during the Mughal period and seek access to the site for religious rituals and recognition of their claimed rights over the property.
UNI XC MCR
Tags: #Sambhal mosque survey case: SC reserves verdict on Masjid Committee’s challenge
More News

Real strength of India-Chile relations lies in friendship between people of 2 countries: Vijender Gupta

26 Sep 2026 | 10:46 PM

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta today addressed members of the Indian community in Santiago, Chile, and highlighted the deep cultural, democratic and people-to-people bonds between the two countries.

see more..

Railways eyes smart waste-compactor bins at busy stations to curb overflowing litter

26 Sep 2026 | 10:43 PM

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) The Railway Board has asked all zonal railways to consider deploying waste-compactor smart bins at high-footfall railway stations on an experimental basis, seeking a technology-driven solution to overflowing conventional bins and the resulting litter at busy stations. .

see more..

Khera steps up attack on ECI, questions Form 6, ECINet & Goa voter exclusions

26 Sep 2026 | 8:53 PM

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) Congress leader Pawan Khera on Saturday stepped up his attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), describing its latest press note on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as “too lame, too little, too late” and alleging that it had failed to answer key questions arising from recent media reports on changes to Form 6, the functioning of ECINet and the exclusion of voters in Goa.

see more..

East Delhi firing: Three held, firearms recovered

26 Sep 2026 | 8:43 PM

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) The Delhi Police apprehended three persons allegedly involved in a case of firing, within 12 hours after filing the case, and also recovered firearms in this connection. .

see more..

Jairam Ramesh steps up attack on ECI, demands SIR suspension and CEC’s exit

26 Sep 2026 | 8:27 PM

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) Congress general secretary (communications) and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday stepped up his attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the poll panel had failed to adequately address recent revelations concerning voter deletions and the functioning of its electoral software.

see more..