Sambhal Mosque: ASI seeks control and management of Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era structure near the court | India News – Times of India

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has filed its response with the court regarding the control and management of the Shahi Jama Masjida protected heritage structure. ASI’s legal representative Vishnu Sharma on Friday confirmed the counter arguments, noting that there were issues with the mosque committee and local residents during site surveys.
Sharma was referring to a January 19, 2018 incident in which the mosque’s management committee faced legal action over the unauthorized installation of steel railings. The mosque, which was designated as an ASI protected monument in 1920, should allow public access as per ASI guidelines.
The ASI argues that it must retain control over the management and structural changes of the monument. The organization expressed concern about unauthorized changes by the management committee and deemed such changes illegal. The court’s deliberation on this matter is expected soon.
On November 24, a court-ordered sweep of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal resulted in violent clashes that left four dead and scores injured. A three-member judicial committee will visit Sambhal on Sunday to probe the incident.
Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed that two committee members arrived on Saturday, while the third member was expected to join on Sunday. The investigation was conducted following claims about a former Harihar temple on the mosque’s site.
The committee, established through a notification dated November 28, operates within a two-month period, with extensions requiring government approval. Headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Devendra Kumar Arora, the committee, along with former civil servants Amit Mohan Prasad and Arvind Kumar Jain, will investigate whether the violence was spontaneous or premeditated.
Their responsibilities include evaluating the preparedness of the police and administration during the incident, investigating factors that led to the violence and proposing preventive measures for similar situations.