Worship will not be possible at the well near Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Supreme Court bans it, seeks report from government

Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid controversy: The Supreme Court has stayed the Municipal Corporation’s notification calling the well near Jama Masjid in Sambhal as Hari Mandir well and allowing worship. However, the court also made it clear that apart from the mosque, people other than the mosque can also use the well, there is no restriction on it. Apart from this, the Supreme Court has asked for a status report from the Uttar Pradesh government. The next hearing in this case will be on 21st February.

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar directed that no action can be taken regarding the well without approval. Along with this, officials have been instructed to submit the status report within two weeks.

This application was filed by the management committee of Shahi Jama Masjid.

The November 19, 2024 order of the Sambhal Senior Division Civil Judge was challenged in the petition filed by the management committee of the Shahi Jama Masjid. In which the appointment of Advocate Commissioner regarding the survey of the mosque was approved. It was also argued that the survey led to violence and loss of life and property. Due to which the Supreme Court had to intervene immediately.

Supreme Court has banned worshiping at wells

Senior lawyer Hufeza Ahmadi, representing the management committee, stressed the historical importance of the well and said, ‘We have been drawing water from this well since ancient times. In a notice, the place has been declared as Hari Mandir and religious activities have started there. On this the Chief Justice said, ‘No such proposal will be allowed.’ The court also asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a status report. The bench said, the status quo of the well should be maintained and any notice related to it will not be effective.

What did the lawyers of both sides say?

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, said the well was outside the mosque complex and was historically used for worship. Also, Ahmadi said, the well is partly inside and partly outside the mosque complex. He also showed an image from Google Maps to support his claim.