Legal Dispute Over Sambhal Mosque Intensifies Ahead of Ramzan

The Shahi Jama Masjid management seeks ASI approval for maintenance while legal battles over land and historical claims continue.

The Shahi Jama Masjid committee in Sambhal has formally requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to approve cleaning and decorating the mosque before Ramzan, a long-standing tradition.
The request follows violent clashes in November 2024 during a court-ordered survey investigating claims that the mosque was built over a Hindu temple, resulting in four deaths and multiple arrests.
The Uttar Pradesh government has told the Supreme Court that the mosque and a disputed well near its entrance are situated on public land, countering the mosque committee's claims of private rights.
The Supreme Court previously ordered a status quo on the well, which is part of a broader government effort to revive 19 ancient wells in the area for rainwater harvesting and tourism.
Local authorities have stated that no work can proceed on the mosque without ASI approval, emphasizing that the site is under legal and administrative scrutiny.