Badaun temple-mosque case: Next hearing fixed for July 5 as debate on maintainability continues
MEERUT A court in Badaun on Wednesday set July 5 to hear the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple-Shamsi Jama Masjid case. The matter, which earlier fell under the jurisdiction of the fast-track court, was transferred to the court of Suman Tiwari, civil judge (senior division) here and hearing was held during the day.
The petition was originally filed by Mukesh Patel on behalf of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, alleging that the Shamsi Jama Masjid in the city was constructed over the remnants of a fort that belonged to King Mahipal, and that within its premises stood the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. Contradicting this claim, the Jama Masjid Management Committee argued that no such temple ever existed at the site.
In recent weeks, the case gained momentum, with the courtroom shifting its focus to the core procedural question: Is this case admissible in court, or not? The upcoming hearing on July 5 is expected to address this legal question in depth.
On the previous hearing date, Judge Pushpendra Chaudhary, who had recently taken charge of the fast-track court, had heard preliminary arguments from both sides. However, he deferred further proceedings to allow himself time to examine the case files thoroughly.
According to Ved Prakash Sahu, counsel for the Hindu side, the judge will soon determine whether to reopen arguments or proceed from where the previous arguments had left off.
The case has seen several procedural delays. Notably, advocates representing the Jama Masjid Committee failed to appear on multiple scheduled dates. Earlier, judge Amit Kumar, then presiding over the FTC, had given the Muslim side a final opportunity and set a hearing for February 11, which was disrupted by a lawyers' strike.
The case was later adjourned to March 10, but due to judge Amit Kumar being on leave, it was again deferred to March 20. On that day, Anwar Alam, lawyer for the Jama Masjid Committee, submitted a petition citing a Supreme Court directive that lower courts cannot adjudicate on such matters. This led the additional civil judge (senior division) to assign a new date, April 2.
However, further delays ensued when judge Amit Kumar was transferred to Bhadohi district, and it took time for a new judge to assume charge. As a result, another hearing was held on April 21, bringing the case to its current stage.
With the legal focus now shifting to the question of jurisdiction and maintainability, all eyes are on the July 5 hearing, which may determine whether the case proceeds to trial or is dismissed at the threshold.
As per the petition, in the year 1175, Muslim ruler Shamsuddin Altamash (Iltutmish) converted the temple into the Jama Masjid. The Hindu side submitted a gazetteer written during the British era and a 144-year-old ASI report to the court. On the other hand, the Muslim side claimed that they presented a consolidation document in court, which records the ownership of this land in the name of Jama Masjid.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US' top Middle-East ally urges to de-escalate Israel-Iran conflict
Published on Jun 22, 2025 12:40 AM IST As Iran and Israel edge closer to full-scale war, Arab nations are increasingly caught in the middle. A top UAE official, Anwar Gargash, has publicly called for an "urgent end" to the fighting, warning that the conflict threatens to unravel years of regional progress and could lead to a "very dangerous aftermath. Iran, meanwhile, has issued stark warnings to Muslim countries, urging them to support Tehran or risk becoming "retaliation targets." President Pezeshkian recently extended a so-called "hand of brotherhood" to Islamic nations but behind that message lies pressure on Gulf allies of the U.S. who are wary of Iran's growing military assertiveness.
New Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Iranian plot to attack Israelis in Cyprus foiled, says Israel
JERUSALEM: Israel claimed Saturday that an Iranian plot to attack Israeli citizens in Cyprus had been foiled, as the war between the two arch-rivals raged for a ninth day. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X that Iran's Revolutionary Guards had "tried to carry out an attack on Israeli citizens in Cyprus", a transit point where thousands have gathered either awaiting repatriation to Israel or having left the country. "Thanks to the activity of the Cypriot security authorities, in cooperation with Israeli security services, the terror attack was thwarted," Saar added. Cyprus police said earlier Saturday that they had arrested an individual on espionage and terror charges. Cypriot news outlet Philenews reported the man had links to "Iranian operatives" and was seen acting suspiciously near a British air force base at Akrotiri, outside the southern coastal city of Limassol. Britain's foreign ministry confirmed to AFP that the man was a British national. It was not clear whether the arrest was related to the alleged plot to attack Israelis mentioned by Saar, and Cypriot police declined to provide extensive details on the case. Israel has long accused Iran of orchestrating and funding attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide, either directly or through groups it backs such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. Cyprus, home to many Israeli expats and a popular holiday destination, has become a staging post for Israelis seeking to return home by air or sea after being stranded abroad by the war with Iran that began on June 13. Cypriot media said the suspect arrested Saturday was of Azeri descent, referring to an ethnic group present in Azerbaijan and northwest Iran, and had entered Cyprus posing as a tourist. Philenews said high-resolution cameras, telephoto lenses, notes, computers and three mobile phones were discovered at his apartment. After Israel's airports were closed and outbound flights cancelled following Israel's attack on Tehran, up to 150,000 Israelis found themselves stuck overseas, according to transport ministry figures. Thousands have since returned home on flights by Israeli national carrier El Al and low-cost airline Arkia with Larnaca in Cyprus used as a hub along with Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. A first boat from Cyprus carrying 1,500 Israelis docked in the Israeli port of Ashdod on Friday. Thanks to its location in the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has also become a key transit hub for third-country nationals fleeing the middle East since the outbreak of hostilities.
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Somanna criticises Congress on minority reservation
Hassan: Minister of state for railways V Somanna criticised deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar for his remarks regarding minority reservation. The Congress govt in Karnataka recently increased minority reservation in housing schemes to 15%, and DK Shivakumar, defending the govt's decision, accused BJP of trying to divide society with their comments. . After participating in the 11th International Yoga Day at Halebidu, Belur taluk, Hassan, on Saturday, Somanna accused Congress party of trying to cover up its shortcomings by involving various communities. "Did any Muslim come and ask them to give reservation?" he questioned. "And DK Shivakumar has engaged in unnecessary acts for the sake of vote bank but it will not be successful," Somanna stated. "As a former housing minister, I provided plots to millions of families," he said and added, "Let the present minister Zameer Ahmed first sit in his office and answer as to on what basis he is giving houses. If someone goes to court, it will create legal hurdles. Congress is unnecessarily pitting one community against another; this is their strategy," Somanna blamed. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi made 176 countries celebrate Yoga Day. Instead of doing such work, Congress has engaged in petty activities," Somanna stated.
