Supreme Court Orders 'Status Quo' in Contentious Sambhal Mosque Demolition Row

The Supreme Court has taken decisive action in a contentious dispute surrounding the alleged demolition of the historic 'Shahi Masjid' in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, ordering an immediate 'status quo' on the site. This significant intervention by the apex court halts further changes at the contested location, where a police post reportedly stands after the mosque was razed.

The order, issued by a vacation bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra, dictates that the 'status quo' as it existed on June 6, 2024, must be strictly maintained.

This urgent directive comes in response to a plea filed by the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, which challenged a previous ruling by the Allahabad High Court.

The High Court had dismissed the Board’s petition, citing the presence of disputed factual questions, thereby allowing the existing situation to persist. However, the Supreme Court has now signaled its intent to thoroughly examine the matter, issuing notices to the Uttar Pradesh government, its various departments, and other respondents, demanding their detailed responses.

At the heart of the dispute lies the 'Shahi Masjid,' a structure believed to date back to the 15th century.

The Sunni Central Waqf Board alleges that the mosque was unlawfully demolished by the district administration on December 15, 2023. This demolition, the Board claims, was carried out under the pretext of road widening, and subsequently, a police post was constructed on the very land where the mosque once stood.

The Waqf Board vehemently asserts that the land belongs to them as Waqf property and that the administration’s actions constitute an illegal encroachment and destruction of a religious site.

Conversely, the district administration has maintained that the land in question is government property, a claim fiercely contested by the Waqf Board.

The Supreme Court expressed serious concerns regarding these conflicting claims, particularly in light of the alleged demolition of a centuries-old religious structure and its replacement with a governmental establishment. The bench observed that "serious questions of fact and law arise for consideration," emphasizing the gravity of the allegations.

The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the sensitivity and complexity of such disputes, particularly when historical religious sites are involved.

By ordering a 'status quo' and seeking detailed explanations from the state authorities, the apex court aims to ensure that justice is served and due process is followed. The case is now slated for further hearing on July 12, 2024, when the court will delve deeper into the arguments presented by both sides.