Supreme Court to Make Decisive Ruling on Sambhal Mosque Committee’s Bold Challenge Against Controversial Survey Order Tomorrow
The Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Committee has petitioned the Supreme Court of India, contesting a trial court’s November 19 order for a survey of the mosque. This order has ignited widespread chaos and violence in the region. The trial court case contends that the mosque was constructed on the ruins of a demolished temple by Mughal emperor Babar in 1526. On November 29, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar is set to review the matter, as reported by LiveLaw.
Previously, a Civil Judge in Sambhal issued an ex-parte order for the mosque’s survey, inciting violence that resulted in four deaths. The unrest followed backlash against the court-ordered survey, with a gathering protest turning deadly. Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, have criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing it of targeting minorities.
In response to the violence, police have arrested 25 individuals, including prominent figures like Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, and Sohail Iqbal, son of a local MLA, along with more than 2,750 unidentified persons.
The Masjid Committee’s petition before the Supreme Court argues that the “hasty” conduct of the survey caused alarm among local residents. They claim the trial court’s ex-parte decision violated the Places of Worship Act and neglected to hear the mosque’s side. Asserting that the mosque is a protected ancient monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Committee seeks immediate Supreme Court intervention due to the extraordinary situation.
Highlighting a potential pattern in targeting mosques with delayed claims, the petition requests the Supreme Court prevent similar orders without hearing both sides. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has also been filed in Allahabad High Court, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the Sambhal violence.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/india/sambhal-masjid-vioence-supreme-court-asi-survey-order-jama-masjid-11732807664855.html
Category :
Tags:
