The Allahabad High Court has scheduled the next hearing in the Krishna Janmbhoomi–Shahi Idgah mosque dispute in Mathura for April 10. Hindus allege the Aurangzeb-era Shahi Idgah mosque was built after demolishing a temple at Lord Krishna’s birthplace.
The Allahabad High Court scheduled the next hearing in the Krishna Janmbhoomi–Shahi Idgah mosque dispute in Mathura for April 10.
On Saturday, Justice Avnish Saxena set April 10 as the next hearing date after counsel for both sides requested an adjournment.
The dispute centers on the Aurangzeb-era Shahi Idgah mosque, which some Hindus allege was constructed after a temple at Lord Krishna’s birthplace was demolished.
Eighteen suits have been filed by the Hindu claimants seeking possession of the land and restoration of the temple.
Earlier, in an order dated Aug 1, 2024, the high court dismissed applications from the Muslim side that challenged the maintainability of the Hindu worshippers’ suits, holding that all such suits are maintainable.
In the Aug 1 order, the court also held that “these suits are not barred by Limitation Act, Waqf Act and Places of Worship Act, 1991, which prohibits conversion of any religious structure as existed on August, 15, 1947.”
The Shahi Eidgah mosque in Mathura, which dates back to the Mughal era under Emperor Aurangzeb, is at the center of a dispute. It is claimed that the mosque was constructed after a temple, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, was demolished.
In 1968, a “compromise agreement” was established between the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, responsible for managing the temple, and the Trust Shahi Masjid Eidgah, allowing both the mosque and the temple to coexist.
However, in recent years, multiple lawsuits have emerged challenging the validity of this agreement, with petitioners arguing that it was fraudulent and legally unsound. Many seek the right to worship at the site and are calling for the mosque’s removal.
In May 2023, the Allahabad High Court consolidated all related cases from the Mathura Court concerning this dispute. The mosque committee and the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board contested this transfer in the Supreme Court. In December 2023, the high court approved a request to appoint a court commissioner to inspect the mosque, but in January 2024, the Supreme Court issued a stay on this order, which was subsequently extended.