The Sambhal Mosque Survey SC instructs the trial court to pause proceedings and requests that Shahi Jama Masjid management contact the Allahabad High Court

After a trial court permitted the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in response to allegations that it was constructed by demolishing a Hindu temple, violence erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, killing four persons.Following a civil action alleging the mosque was constructed by demolishing a Hindu temple, the Supreme Court on Friday instructed the management committee of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, to petition the Allahabad High Court to overturn the lower court's decision permitting a survey of the structure.The court of civil judges (senior division), which permitted the survey, was also directed by a bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar to hold off on taking further action until the high court issues the necessary directives.We have been informed that the trial court will hear the case on January 8, 2025. The Supreme Court order stated, "We hope and trust that the trial court will not proceed with the matter until it is listed before the high court and any further proceedings will be in terms of the order passed.""Any revision, appeal, or miscellaneous petition that is preferred before the appropriate forum would be listed within a period of three working days after the same is filed," the bench added. The court recorded Additional Solicitor General (ASG) K M Nataraj's pledge that "in the meantime, peace and harmony must be maintained." "We are taking care of it," stated the ASG, who represented the district administration.

The court further ordered that any reports submitted by the advocate commissioner designated by the trial court to carry out the survey must be kept in a sealed cover and not unsealed. According to the Supreme Court, the appeal will remain pending until January 6, 2025. Additionally, the bench made it clear that it has not voiced any opinions regarding the matter's merits. The appeal argued that although the mosque had been used continuously by Muslims as a place of worship since the 16th century, the case was handled in "hot haste" after eight plaintiffs filed a lawsuit alleging that it had been constructed after the "Shri Hari Har Temple" was destroyed.