On Friday, the Supreme Court expressed a prima facie favorable stance on the Allahabad High Court's decision to consolidate and hear all suits related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi - Shahi Idgah dispute together.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar observed that consolidating all suits and applications related to the case for joint hearing would benefit both the Hindu and Muslim parties, as it would help avoid multiple proceedings.
"Why should we intervene in the issue of consolidation of suits," the Court asked.
"Suits not similar in nature are consolidated. Now it says any plea made will be taken up together. It will lead to complications," the counsel appearing for the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Idgah said.
"No complications at all. It is in your benefit and their benefit also that multiple proceedings are avoided," the Court said.
The Court then adjourned the matter and scheduled it for hearing in April.
"We can adjourn this also. Everything needs not be agitated. What difference will it make if it's consolidated? Now the written submissions are also taken on record. But anyways consolidation makes no difference at all. We will adjourn this. I do not know why everything needs to be contested. Re-list in 1st week of April 2025," the Court said while adjourning the case.
The Supreme Court was hearing the challenge filed by the Muslim side against the Allahabad High Court's order, which allowed the Hindu side's plea to consolidate suits related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi - Shahi Idgah dispute.
The case originated when the Hindu side filed a civil suit claiming that the Shahi Idgah Masjid was built over Krishna Janmabhoomi land. The suit was filed on behalf of the Hindu deity Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman and certain Hindu devotees, seeking the removal of the mosque from its current location. The plaintiffs also argued that there were signs indicating that the Shahi Idgah Mosque was originally a Hindu temple, prompting a request for a court-appointed commissioner to examine the site.
Initially, the civil court dismissed the suit in September 2020, citing the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which bars such cases. However, the Mathura District Court overturned this decision in May 2022, ruling the suit was maintainable. The matter was subsequently transferred to the Allahabad High Court in 2023.
In a recent ruling on December 14, 2023, the High Court deemed 18 suits relating to the dispute maintainable and allowed an application filed on behalf of Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman and seven other Hindu parties to appoint a commissioner for inspecting the Shahi Idgah mosque. The Supreme Court had declined to stay this order.
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