No work should be done without ASI approval

The report said the state was committed to ensuring peace and harmony in the region and any restraint on the use of such public wells by the community at large may not help in achieving that goal

- MPOST BUREAU

NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the Supreme Court that the disputed "private well" near the Mughal-era Jama Masjid mosque in Sambhal was situated on public land.

A status report was filed before a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar following a January 10 direction of the top court.

"Petitioners are attempting to create private rights over a public well. The subject well is part of the 19 wells that are being revived by the district administration for inter alia, rainwater harvesting, water recharge and use by all communities," the report said.

The report said the well, locally known as "dharani varah koop", was situated near and not inside the disputed religious site, and had no connection with the mosque.