New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Friday said it hoped and trusted that the trial court will not proceed with the survey of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid until appropriate orders are passed by the High Court.
The court’s order came a day after the management committee of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid moved the Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging the November 19 order of a district court, which directed a survey of the Mughal-era mosque.
“We hope and trust the trial court will not further proceed till the High Court passes appropriate orders,” the court said.
“Till the matter is listed before the High Court, any further proceedings will be in terms of the order passed. We have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the matter. Parties may move the application if required,” the order by a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar stated.
“We don’t want to say anything at this stage. We will keep it pending. But please see that peace and harmony is maintained. We have to be absolutely neutral,” the bench added.
SAMBHAL CASE: WHAT DID THE PLEA MENTION?
The plea in the Sambhal mosque survey case sought an ex-parte stay on the operation of the November 19 order passed by the civil judge.
“The hot haste in which the survey was allowed and conducted all within a day and suddenly another survey was conducted with a notice of barely six hours has given rise to widespread communal tensions and threatens the secular and democratic fabric of the nation,” the plea mentioned.
WHAT HAPPENED IN SAMBHAL?
Tension has been brewing in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.
Violence erupted on November 24 as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson.
Five people died and several others were injured in the violence.
