Sambhal Mosque Surveyed Under Court Orders Amid Ancient Temple Claims

A court-ordered survey of a mosque in Sambhal district was conducted on Tuesday following a petition. The petition claimed the mosque's site was originally an ancient Hindu temple. Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who filed the petition, stated that the central and Uttar Pradesh governments, along with the Masjid Committee and Sambhal's district magistrate, are involved in the case.

Sambhal DM Rajendra Pensia confirmed that the survey was carried out by an advocate commissioner. Both parties were present during the process. "We were only providing security and protection. Today, the advocate commissioner has done the survey and he will file its report in the court," Pensia explained. He added that any further action would depend on the court's decision.

Historical Claims and Legal Proceedings

Earlier, Jain alleged that Mughal emperor Babar partially demolished the temple in 1529. He shared on X that it is believed Kalki avatar is to occur at Sambhal. "Today the Honble Civil Court Sambhal on my petition has directed a survey by advocate commissioner at the alleged Jama Masjid in Sambhal which was known as Hari Har Mandir," Jain stated.

Jain emphasized the significance of the Hari Har temple to their faith while speaking outside Sambhal's District Court. He and his father, Hari Shankar Jain, have represented Hindu interests in several worship-related cases, including the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath dispute.

Controversy Surrounding Survey

The area is protected by ASI regulations, prohibiting any encroachment. Jain noted numerous Hindu temple symbols at the site. "Considering all these factors, the Honourable Civil Judge Senior Division of Sambhal has issued an order for an advocate commission to survey the site using video and photography, and submit its report to the court," he added.

Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq opposed these developments. He stated, "The Jama Masjid of Sambhal is historical and very old." Barq referenced a 1991 Supreme Court order maintaining religious sites as they were in 1947. He accused some individuals of attempting to disrupt peace in India and Uttar Pradesh.

The SP MP insisted there should be no objections to even a small part of the mosque's space. "There was a mosque there, there is a mosque and there will be a mosque," he asserted.