NEW DELHI: A Chandausi court in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district on Thursday has scheduled a hearing on July 21 to consider a plea seeking a ban on offering namaz at the Shahi Jama Masjid, a site claimed by Hindu petitioners to be the ancient Harihar Temple.
The application, filed by Simran Gupta, argues that since the religious character of the site is under judicial examination, all religious activity—including Islamic prayers—should be suspended until a final ruling is made. The plea contends that Muslims are being allowed to pray at the mosque, while Hindus are barred from worship at the site, and demands equal restriction.
The petitioner also requested that the mosque premises be sealed and handed over to the custody of the Sambhal District Magistrate. Gupta further sought to be included as a petitioner representing the Hindu side in the ongoing legal dispute.
The original suit was filed on November 19, 2023, by eight Hindu petitioners, including well-known advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain. That same day, the court ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid premises. A second round of the court-monitored survey was conducted on November 24.
The matter was placed before the Chandausi Civil Court (Senior Division), with the last hearing held on April 28.
In response to the trial court’s decision allowing the survey, the Muslim side approached the Allahabad High Court. However, on May 19, 2024, the High Court upheld the lower court’s order, permitting the continuation of proceedings at the district level.
Advocate Sri Gopal Sharma, representing the Hindu petitioners, confirmed that the High Court’s ruling was submitted to the Chandausi court as part of the legal record.
