Allahabad HC Dismisses Plea Challenging Suits in Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Dispute

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea from the Muslim side challenging the maintainability of suits related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute in Mathura. The judgement, which had been reserved by Justice Mayank Kumar Jain, paves the way for the continuation of the trials.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, expressed readiness to face further legal challenges, stating, “Today, the Allahabad High Court has rejected the application of Order 7 Rule 11 filed by the Shahi Eidgah Masjid, and held that all 18 suits are not barred by the Places of Worship Act. The next hearing is scheduled for August 12. We will file a caveat before the Supreme Court, and if the Shahi Eidgah Masjid approaches the SC, we will be present there.”

The suits in question seek the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque, which is situated adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. The litigants argue that the mosque, constructed during the reign of Aurangzeb, was built on the site of a demolished Krishna temple. The mosque management committee and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board had contested these claims, arguing that the suits were barred under the Places of Worship Act, 1991, particularly since the mosque’s construction in 1669-70 is not disputed.

The court will resume its hearing on August 12.