Supreme Court Orders Status Quo on Sambhal Mosque Well Dispute

India's top court halts actions involving a disputed well near the Shahi Jama Masjid to prevent further unrest and ensure communal harmony.

The Supreme Court has restrained any action on a well near the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, without its explicit permission.
The court emphasized maintaining peace after prior violence during a survey of the mosque site left four dead and several injured in November 2024.
A municipal notice to open the well for public use, including religious activities, has been suspended as part of the status quo order.
The dispute centers on claims that the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple, sparking legal and communal tensions.
Authorities have been directed to file a status report within two weeks, with the next Supreme Court hearing scheduled for February 21, 2025.