‘Maintain peace and harmony’: SC asks court not to pass any order on Sambhal mosque investigation | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the management committee of Shahi Idgah Masjid in Sambhal to approach the Supreme Court regarding the court’s order to investigate the mosque. Hindu parties claim that was originally a temple.
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, while hearing the case, stated that the court’s order would remain stayed until the Shahi Idgah Commission presented their case before the Supreme Court.
“We don’t want anything to happen until they move HC. The court will not implement its order,” the top court said.
“Peace and harmony must be preserved at all costs,” it added.
The situation in Sambhal has been volatile since November 19, when authorities conducted an investigation court-mandated investigation of the Shahi Jama Masjidafter claims about the previous existence of a Harihar Temple at the location.
On November 24, the situation worsened when protesters at the mosque clashed with security forces, resulting in incidents of stone throwing and fire lighting. The violence claimed four lives and left several injured.
The Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century structure, has been a place of worship for Muslims without prior dispute.
However, a lawsuit filed on November 19 by eight plaintiffs alleged that the mosque was originally a temple and sought rights of entry and an injunction to prevent interference with the site. Following the lawsuit, a civil judge issued an ex-parte order the same day, directing an investigation into the mosque and appointing a lawyer commissioner for the task.