Allahabad HC orders survey of ‘alleged’ Sambhal mosque to assess need for maintenance before Ramzan

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday directed the Archaeological Survey of India to inspect the Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal to assess whether the structure needs whitewashing before the commencement of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, Live Law reported.

In its eight-page order, the court used the word “alleged” five times to describe the masjid. This came after the advocate for the Hindu side told the judge: “My lord ye na ho ki iss order ke garb mei HC ne usko mosque maan liya [My lord, it shouldn’t happen that in the guise of this order the High Court has accepted that it is a mosque.”

The archaeological survey report is to be submitted by 10 am on Friday.

The court’s order came on a petition filed by the mosque management committee that sought permission from the court to whitewash and clean the structure ahead of Ramzan, which begins on Saturday.

“To balance the equity between the parties, it is important that during the holy month of Ramzan...the communal harmony is maintained,” the court’s order on Thursday said.

During the hearing, the High Court also dismissed a request by the Archaeological Survey of India requesting security for its three-member team that will conduct the survey.

The mosque committee had initially requested the authorities...

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