New Delhi, April 29 (HS): The Supreme Court has directed the Shahjahanpur Jama Masjid Committee to file a status report regarding the disputed well in the Shahjahanpur Jama Masjid within two weeks. This order was issued by a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna.
During today’s hearing, the lawyer representing the mosque committee, Huzaifah Ahmad, stated that its chief is in custody, so a response could not be submitted. The court then instructed the mosque committee’s lawyer to meet with him in jail and submit a response. During the hearing, the Uttar Pradesh government stated that the well is completely outside the disputed building, while the mosque committee claimed that part of the well is within the mosque premises. The court remarked that both the mosque committee and the administration should have discussed it together to find a resolution.
In this matter, the Uttar Pradesh government submitted a status report to the Supreme Court, stating that the well in the Shahjahanpur Jama Masjid is not located within the mosque premises. The Uttar Pradesh government has claimed that not only the well but also the mosque is situated on public land. The status report indicated that the well associated with the mosque is part of the 19 wells being revived by the district administration. After their revival through rainwater harvesting, people from all communities will be able to use them.
The Supreme Court had previously stayed the implementation of the municipal notice regarding the well associated with the mosque on January 10. The bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna, had issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a petition filed by the mosque management committee. Earlier, on November 29, 2024, the Supreme Court had instructed the trial court in Shahjahanpur not to take any action in the Jama Masjid dispute case until the Allahabad High Court provided any directives. The Supreme Court had stated that the Muslim party could approach the High Court against the survey order. The bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna had stated that the trial court would abide by the High Court’s orders.
The Supreme Court had ordered that the report from the advocate commissioner be kept under seal. The court had stated that this report should not be made public for the time being. The Supreme Court noted that a separate hearing is underway regarding the Places of Worship Act, and this matter would be kept there.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
