The whitewashing of Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has commenced following the Allahabad High Court's approval on March 12. 

According to ANI, the contractor appointed by the ASI for the task mentioned that the work is expected to be completed within a week, with a team of eight individuals engaged in the process.

"A total of eight people are at work. The work of whitewashing has been started... We will finish the work within a week. We have been only directed to whitewash the mosque. We have been assigned by the ASI," he said.

During the hearing on March 12, the Allahabad High Court permitted the whitewashing of Sambhal Jama Masjid's exterior and its decoration with lights, ensuring no alterations to the structure.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 8.  

Meanwhile, security has been intensified in the Shahi Jama Masjid area of Sambhal following the court’s directive to a three-member committee to supervise the painting process ahead of Ramzan.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal directed the formation of a panel comprising officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a scientific expert, and a local administration representative to oversee the work and ensure that no structural damage is caused to the mosque.

Sambhal ASP Shrish Chandra told ANI that heavy security arrangements have been put in place around the site. "Tight security arrangements have been made around the disputed site. An adequate police force has been deployed... Peace will be maintained... Surveillance is being conducted through CCTV and drones," he said.

In February, the Uttar Pradesh police's SIT submitted a chargesheet exceeding 4,000 pages in six of the 12 cases related to the November 24 Sambhal violence, which broke out during the ASI's examination of the Mughal-era mosque.  

The violence led to the deaths of four individuals and left several others, including officials and locals, injured.  

As per the chargesheet, 80 arrests have been made, while 79 remain pending, bringing the total number of accused to 159. It also noted that weapons recovered from the site and other locations originated from the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, and Czechoslovakia.