SC halts trial court proceedings in Sambhal mosque dispute

NEW DELHI, Nov 29: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a Sambhal trial court to halt proceedings in the case over the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid and its survey at Chandausi while directing the UP government to maintain peace and harmony in the violence-hit town.
On November 19, a court of civil judge (senior division) of Sambhal passed an ex-parte order for a survey of the mosque by an advocate commissioner after taking note of a plea of the Hindu side claiming the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1526 after demolishing a temple.
On November 24, violence gripped the area, post the order, snuffing out four lives.
On Friday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar directed “peace and harmony must be maintained” and took note of the statement of Additional Solicitor General (ASG) K M Nataraj, appearing for the state administration, in this regard.
It directed the proposed report of the advocate commissioner following the mosque survey be kept in a sealed cover, till the appellate court including the Allahabad High Court heard the appeal of the mosque committee. ”The learned civil judge will not proceed with the matter till the revision petition/appeal/miscellaneous petition to be filed by the petitioner, is listed before the high court/appropriate court/forum. The report submitted by the advocate commissioner, if any, will be kept in a sealed cover and will not be opened. Any further proceedings in the suit would be subject to the order passed by the high court/appropriate court/forum,” it said.
The apex court further directed the petition filed by the Shahi Jama Masjid Committee against the trial court’s survey order be listed before the Allahabad High Court or any other appropriate forum within three working days. (PTI)