In a big win for the Hindu side, the Allahabad High Court has given the green light for conducting a survey of the Shahi Idgah Complex in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura. The modalities of the commission of advocates for the survey will be decided on December 18.

“Allahabad HC has allowed our application where we had demanded survey of (Shahi Idgah Masjid) by advocate commissioner. The modalities will be decided on Dec 18. The court has rejected the arguments of Shahi Idgah Masjid. My demand was that in Shahi Idgah Masjid there are a lot of signs and symbols of the Hindu temple, and to know the actual position, an advocate commissioner is required. It’s a landmark judgment by the court,” Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer for the Hindu side said, ANI reported.

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2023

It may be noted that in the application, moved in the original suit pending before the HC, it was claimed that Lord Shri Krishna’s birthplace lies beneath the Mosque and that there are many signs which establish that the Mosque is a Hindu temple hence, the appointment of a commission was essential, Live Law reported.

Justice Mayank Kumar Jain had reserved the order on the application on November 16.

Also Read: Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute case to be heard by Allahabad High Court on Hindu side’s plea

Hindu outfits claim that the mosque was built on the birthplace of Lord Krishna and have demanded a survey. The demand was admitted by a local court in December last year but the Muslim side had filed an objection in the High Court. The Muslim side is now expected to approach the Supreme Court against this ruling.

The Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura was built on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb adjacent to the Krishna Janmasthal — believed to be the place where Lord Krishna was born — after demolishing a temple.

At least 18 cases have been filed in courts by different petitioners. A common thread in all the petitions is a demand for the removal of the mosque from the 13.77-acre complex, which it shares with the Katra Keshav Dev Temple.

The Muslim side had earlier sought to dismiss the petition by citing the Places of Worship Act of 1991, which maintains the religious status of any place of worship as it was on August 15, 1947.

(With inputs from agencies)