SAMBHAL MOSQUE WELL ROW: SC ORDERS STATUS QUO

Asks UP govt, Archaeological Survey of India and others not to take steps over a private well’ near the Mughal-era Jama Masjid mosque

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Ordering a status quo, the Supreme Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh authorities, the Archaeological Survey of India and others not to take steps over a “private well” near the Mughalera Jama Masjid mosque in Sambhal.

The court directed that the notice issued by the Sambhal Nagar Palika regarding the well outside the Sambhal mosque should not be executed.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and sought a status report from it within two weeks on an application filed by the Committee of Management, Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal.

The Mosque Committee has sought direction from the District Magistrate to ensure that the status quo is maintained with respect to the private well situated near the stairs/entrance of the mosque.

During the hearing, the bench observed that there is no harm if someone else uses the well from outside the mosque.

“There is no harm if someone uses the well from outside, you have covered the well and let them use it, what is the harm?” asked CJI Khanna from counsel appearing for the committee.