Sambhal mosque survey report almost complete, will be filed in January: Court commissioner

NEW DELHI: The survey of Shahi Jama Masjid is nearing completion and is expected to be submitted to the court in January 2025, according to the court-appointed commissioner.

Advocate Ramesh Singh Raghav, appointed as the court commissioner, stated on December 23 that the report will likely be filed on January 2 or 3.

"The survey report of Shahi Jama Masjid is almost in the final stage and complete. There are some technical issues, which will be adjusted today. As it is the last working day of the court after which it will close. As far as the survey report is concerned, it will be filed on January 2 or 3. There is a stay order of the Supreme Court to the trial court not to take any action till January 6 hence the survey report will be filed before this date," Raghav told the media.

On November 19, the court issued an ex-parte order for the mosque’s survey by an advocate commissioner after reviewing a plea from the Hindu side, which claimed that Mughal emperor Babur built the mosque in 1526 by demolishing a temple.

During the second round of the survey on November 24, local protests escalated into violent clashes with security personnel, resulting in four deaths and several injuries.

On November 29, the Supreme Court directed the Sambhal trial court to pause proceedings in the case concerning the Mughal-era mosque and its survey.

The court also instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure peace and maintain harmony in the area affected by the violence.

(With inputs from agencies)