Allahabad HC dismisses plea to refer to Mathura’s Shahi Idgah as ‘disputed structure’ in proceedings

The Allahabad High Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking to refer to the Shahi Idgah mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura as a “disputed structure” in future proceedings in the ongoing suit, Live Law reported.

Justice Ram Manohar Narain Mishra was hearing an application filed by advocate Mahendra Pratap Singh. The judge said that there was “no solid ground” to declare the mosque as a “disputed structure”, Deccan Herald reported.

The Shahi Idgah is located in a 13.3-acre complex. Hindu litigants have claimed that the mosque was built at the spot where the deity Krishna was born after demolishing a temple there.

Eighteen suits are pending before the High Court from the Hindu side, which primarily seek possession of the land after the removal of the mosque, as well as the restoration of the temple and a permanent injunction in the matter, PTI reported.

In his petition about referring to the mosque as a “disputed structure”, Singh said that there was no mention of the mosque in revenue records nor any proof of payment of municipal taxes, Deccan Herald reported. He also cited other government documents and historical texts to support his claim.

On the other hand, the Muslim side told the bench that the mosque existed for several centuries, adding that it was not proper to refer to it as a...

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