The Supreme Court will today hear a petition filed by the management committee of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid challenging the district court’s November 19 order directing a survey of the 16th century mosque. The committee has sought an immediate stay on the order, citing its potential impact on communal harmony and the secular fabric of the country. A bench led by the Chief Justice of India will hear the petition from 11:30 am to 12 noon or later.
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The plea argues that the unilateral decision to conduct the survey lacked justification and was carried out in a hurry with barely six hours’ notice, leading to unrest. It further urges that the report of the Survey Commissioner be kept confidential and no further survey be conducted without adequate information and fair hearing of all parties.
Stone pelting incident and judicial inquiry
Tension escalated in Sambhal after violence broke out during the survey on 24 November, leading to stone pelting, arson and the death of four people, with several others injured, including police personnel. Following the unrest, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel constituted a three-member judicial inquiry commission led by retired Justice Devendra Kumar Arora to investigate the incident.
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The commission, comprising retired IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain, has been tasked with investigating whether the violence was pre-planned and evaluating the response of the district administration. The panel has two months to submit its findings, unless an extension is granted.
Security measures and ongoing tensions
The state administration has deployed heavy police force in Sambhal and entire Moradabad division to ensure peace during Friday prayers. Meetings have also been held with local Muslim leaders to maintain peace. The city Qazi has appealed to residents to offer namaz in their local mosques and maintain harmony.
During the hearing of the petition in the Supreme Court, both residents and officials are hopeful that the matter will be resolved, thereby restoring normalcy and maintaining communal harmony.
