New Delhi, Sept 1 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed its Registry to verify which of the two special leave petitions (SLPs) filed in the Sambhal Masjid dispute was legitimate, after it emerged that parallel petitions had been filed by different office bearers of the same management committee.
The Court also ordered that the interim status quo on the suit concerning the mosque will continue until the next hearing.
A Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Arade was hearing challenges to the Allahabad High Court’s order that the suit against the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal was not barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
At the outset, the Bench noted the unusual situation of two SLPs being filed by the Committee of Management, Jami Masjid, Sambhal, one through its Secretary and another through its Vice-President.
“This raises a serious question of maintainability. The Registry must examine which of these petitions is validly filed,” Justice Narasimha remarked.
Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing in one of the petitions, clarified that his SLP had been filed with a proper letter of authorisation from the Committee of Management.
The court, however, directed the Registry conduct an inquiry and submit a report within two weeks. “The Registry is directed to inquire as to which of the SLPs is filed legitimately,” Justice Narasimha ordered.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the respondents, urged the Court not to extend the interim order of status quo granted earlier in the case.
He argued that the continuation of such an order prejudiced the interests of the respondents, who maintain that the site is originally the Sri Harihar Temple dedicated to Lord Kalki and has been unlawfully occupied by the mosque committee.
The Bench, however, maintained the interim arrangement. “Until the Registry’s report is received, the interim status quo shall continue,” the Court directed.
The Allahabad High Court, in its order, had rejected the Masjid Committee’s argument that the suit was barred under the Places of Worship Act, 1991, thereby allowing the matter to proceed.
The High Court had also considered questions regarding compliance with procedural requirements under the Code of Civil Procedure, including the grant of leave under Section 80(2) and the appointment of a local commissioner for investigation.
The long-running dispute has seen repeated interventions from the Supreme Court.
On August 22, 2025, the Court had ordered the status quo on the suit to continue. Earlier, on April 1, 2025, the Court refused to entertain a challenge to an Allahabad High Court order directing the Archaeological Survey of India to whitewash the Mughal-era Jama Masjid.
On January 10, 2025, the Court also restrained local municipal authorities from acting on notices relating to a disputed well near the Masjid.
The Registry has been given two weeks to ascertain the legitimacy of the two SLPs. The matter will be taken up thereafter, with the interim order of status quo remaining in force.
