High court hearing to unseal ASI survey report on Dhar Bhojshala dispute

Indore: A crucial hearing on the future of Dhar's historic Bhojshala was set to begin from Monday at the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, where a 98-day scientific survey report prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India was to be opened on the very first day. The report was to be made public for the first time during the proceedings.The hearing is taking place on the directions of the Supreme Court, with a division bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi scheduled to hear the matter. The case was listed at serial number 62 before the bench.The Supreme Court passed an important order in connection with the Bhojshala dispute, directing that the hearing of the writ petition be conducted by a division bench headed preferably by the Chief Justice or the senior-most judge. The order was issued in the matter of Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society versus Hindu Front For Justice and others.Earlier, the MP high court, on March 11, 2024, directed the ASI to undertake an investigation and survey using the latest methods at the subject site, which is a protected historical monument. An ASI expert committee comprising five senior-most ASI officers carried out photography of the entire survey premises, and opened locked and sealed rooms so that artefacts and structural items found there could be scientifically examined by the expert team. A report was subsequently submitted in a sealed envelope.The ASI report was to be shared with lawyers representing both sides as well as parties from the Hindu and Muslim communities. The findings were expected to play a central role in determining the historical character and future religious status of Bhojshala. Officials and litigants believed the document could clarify long-standing questions surrounding the site's history and identity.The Supreme Court had asked the division bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court to unseal the ASI report in open court and supply copies to both sides. "If such a part of the report cannot be opened the parties may be permitted to inspect such part of the report in the presence of their experts and advocates. Thereafter the parties will be granted two weeks' time to file their respective objections, suggestions, opinions or recommendations," the apex court said.