A Chandausi court in Uttar Pradesh has fixed February 24 for hearing the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid–Harihar Temple dispute after proceedings were deferred due to a Supreme Court stay. The apex court is scheduled to hear the matter on January 12, keeping trial court proceedings on hold.
A court in Chandausi town of Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh has fixed February 24 as the next date of hearing in the ongoing Shahi Jama Masjid–Harihar Temple dispute.
The case was listed before the court of Civil Judge Aditya Singh on Thursday. However, the hearing could not take place due to an existing stay granted by the Supreme Court of India.
Advocate Shakeel Ahmed Warsi, who is appearing for the Shahi Jama Masjid side, informed reporters that the hearing fixed for Thursday was postponed because of the Supreme Court’s stay order. He said the matter has now been adjourned to February 24.
The Muslim side has challenged the maintainability of the case before the Allahabad High Court. However, on May 19, 2025, the High Court upheld an earlier trial court order allowing a court-monitored survey of the mosque premises.
Advocate Gopal Sharma, who represents the Hindu side in the matter, also spoke to reporters. He said,
“since there is a stay order from the Supreme Court in the matter, the trial court cannot issue any orders.”
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He further added,
“The Supreme Court will hear the case on January 12.”
The legal dispute traces its origin to November 19, 2024, when Hindu petitioners approached the Sambhal district court claiming that the Shahi Jama Masjid was constructed over a pre-existing Harihar temple. The petition was filed by Hindu advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain, among others.
On the same day, the trial court ordered a survey of the mosque, which was carried out immediately. A second round of survey was conducted on November 24, 2024.
The second survey triggered serious unrest in Sambhal district. The situation turned violent, leading to the deaths of four persons and injuries to at least 29 police personnel during clashes.
Following the violence, the police registered cases against several persons. Among those booked were Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and the mosque committee head Zafar Ali. In addition, an FIR was also registered against 2,750 unidentified persons in connection with the disturbances.
The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the case on January 12, while the trial court proceedings remain on hold due to the apex court’s stay.
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