EXPLAINED Sambhal Masjid Row: Allahabad High Court Upholds Survey of Shahi Jama Masjid, Rejects Mosque Committee’s Plea Over Hindu Temple Claims
The Allahabad High Court, on May 19, 2025, upheld a trial court’s order for a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, rejecting the mosque committee’s plea to halt proceedings. The suit, filed by Hindu plaintiffs, claims the mosque was built in 1526 by Mughal emperor Babur after demolishing the Harihar Temple. The court found the survey order and suit maintainable, emphasizing public access to the protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Act, 1958. The decision followed violent clashes in November 2024, prompting Supreme Court intervention to ensure peace.