Supreme Court Hears Plea on Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Dispute, Stays Mosque Inspection Commission

Last Updated on September 18, 2024 by Athi Venkatesh

The Supreme Court has heard a plea from the Shahi Eidgah Mosque Committee challenging the maintainability of several suits in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute. The suits, filed by Hindu worshippers and the deity Lord Krishna, were upheld by the Allahabad High Court, prompting the mosque committee to approach the Supreme Court.

A bench led by Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar considered the Mosque Committee’s challenge against the August 1 High Court judgment. This judgment had dismissed the committee’s plea under Order 7 Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC), which questioned the legitimacy of 18 suits filed by the Hindu side.

During the hearing, Justice Khanna acknowledged the complexity of the case, noting that it could not be resolved quickly. He clarified that the court had only stayed the commission for the mosque inspection, not the overall proceedings. Senior advocate Madhavi Divan, representing the Hindu side, expressed concerns about the impact of the court’s stay, but Justice Khanna emphasized that the case could proceed with document filings and affidavits. However, cross-examination remains prohibited.

The court directed both parties to consider whether Section 10 of the Letters Patent Appeal Act, which allows for intra-court appeals, applies to this case. The next hearing is scheduled for the first week of November.

The dispute centers on the Shahi Eidgah mosque, which was allegedly built after demolishing a temple at Lord Krishna’s birthplace. In 1968, a compromise agreement allowed both the mosque and temple to coexist, but its validity is now in question. Multiple suits have been filed seeking the mosque’s removal and the right to worship at the disputed site.