The Supreme Court has stayed the trial court proceedings relating to the survey of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid, saying there shall be no further action till January 8. The court hoped the trial court would not proceed with the matter till appropriate orders are passed by the Allahabad High Court.
The decision comes after a plea by the mosque management committee, challenging an order by a district court, dated November 19, to conduct a survey of the Mughal-era mosque. While hearing the plea, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna asserted the maintenance of peace and neutrality at the site: “We hope and trust the trial court will not further proceed till the High Court passes appropriate orders.”
The bench also went on to say that the matter would be kept pending and that there was a need to maintain harmony in the area. It clarified that no further steps must be taken by the trial court without the High Court’s permission.
Meanwhile, a video by news agency ANI showed devotees thronging the Shahi Jama Masjid to offer namaz on Friday as part of their weekly prayers.
The plea on the survey said the entire exercise was being rushed through and that the speedy execution of the survey, without adequate notice, has escalated communal tension and is a threat to the secular fabric of the nation. It also sought to keep the report of the survey confidential and maintenance of status quo at the mosque.
Tensions peaked in Sambhal after a court-ordered survey, which was ordered on a petition claiming that a temple existed at the site. There was a violent clash on November 24, killing five people and injuring several. Following the Supreme Court’s appeal for peace, two Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Ministers vowed to enforce the orders of the court and ensure law and order.
