A lawyer representing the Hindu petitioners stated that the respondent (mosque representatives) was required to submit a written statement but failed to do so.
Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: Today, 5th March, A district court has scheduled April 28, 2025, for the next hearing of a petition claiming that the Shahi Jama Mosque was originally a Harihar Temple.
ALSO READ: Sambhal Court Rejects Bail Pleas of 10 More Accused in Shahi Jama Masjid Violence Case
The petition was first filed in another court on November 19, 2023. The matter was later transferred, and on Wednesday, it came up for hearing before Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh. However, the court deferred the proceedings and set April 28 as the next date.
A lawyer representing the Hindu petitioners stated that the respondent (mosque representatives) was required to submit a written statement but failed to do so.
Advocate Gopal Sharma, representing the Hindu side, told the media:
“Today, the hearing took place in the court of Aditya Singh. The next date has been set for April 28. The mosque side’s lawyer was to file their written statement today, but they have not submitted it yet.”
He further added:
“We have appealed to the court to disallow any further opportunity for them to file their written statement.”
On the other hand, Zafar Ali, the head of Shahi Jama Masjid, claimed that higher courts had already placed a stay on the proceedings.
Speaking to journalists, he said
“There is a stay from the Supreme Court and High Court, therefore no hearing took place. The date of April 28 has been given.”
The dispute over the religious identity of the site continues, with both sides presenting their arguments. The case is being closely watched, as it involves historical and legal complexities. The next court hearing on April 28 will determine the further course of action.
Earlier, Sambhal local court has rejected the bail pleas of 10 more accused in connection with the violence that erupted during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in November 2023. With this, the total number of denied bail applications in the case has now reached 29.
The Additional District and Sessions Judge Nirbhay Narayan Rai denied the 10 bail pleas on Monday, as confirmed by Additional District Government Counsel Hari Om Prakash Saini.
ALSO READ: Allahabad High Court Adjourns Sambhal Jama Masjid Whitewashing Case Hearing to March 10
Background
Tensions began escalating in Sambhal on November 19, 2023, following a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. The survey was conducted after claims surfaced that a Harihar temple previously existed at the site.
The situation worsened on November 24, when a second survey was attempted. Protesters clashed with security forces, leading to violence that resulted in the deaths of four people and left several others injured.
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