Allahabad High Court to Hear Plea on Shahi Idgah Mosque Removal

The Allahabad High Court has scheduled a hearing for February 22 to consider the maintainability of a lawsuit seeking the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura. The mosque is claimed to be built on land belonging to the Katra Keshav Deo temple.

The Allahabad High Court has scheduled a hearing for February 22, 2024, to determine the maintainability of a lawsuit seeking the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura. The mosque is alleged to have been constructed on 13.37 acres of land belonging to the Katra Keshav Deo temple.

Objections to be Filed by February 22

Justice Mayank Kumar Jain, who passed the order, directed that any objections to the plea challenging the maintainability of the suit must be filed before February 22. This follows the court's earlier decision on January 17, when it granted time to the Hindu side to respond to an application filed by the Muslim side regarding the suit's maintainability.

Transfer of Cases to High Court

In May 2023, the high court consolidated all 15 cases related to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute. While objections have been filed in some of these cases, the court noted that applications for the rejection of the plaint under Order VII Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code are still pending.

Filing of Objections and Written Statements

The court directed the plaintiffs who have not yet filed their objections to do so by February 6, 2024. Additionally, the defendants were instructed to submit their written statements by February 13, 2024, in cases where a counter-reply has not been filed. The court emphasized that no further time will be granted for filing objections, rejoinders, affidavits, or counter-replies.

Supreme Court Order on Survey Stayed

On January 17, a copy of the Supreme Court order was presented in the high court, staying an earlier order issued on December 14, 2023, regarding a court-monitored survey of the mosque complex adjacent to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. The petitioners had claimed that the mosque premises showed signs of being a Hindu temple in the past.

Continuation of Proceedings

Despite the stay on the survey order, the Supreme Court clarified that proceedings before the high court in the dispute, including the determination of the suit's maintainability under Order 7 Rule 11 of the CPC, will continue.

The Allahabad High Court's decision to set a hearing date for the Shahi Idgah mosque case marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute. The court's directions regarding the filing of objections and written statements aim to ensure the timely resolution of the matter, while the Supreme Court's stay on the survey order allows for the continuation of legal proceedings.