Supreme Court Extends Stay on Inspection of Shahi Idgah Complex in Krishna Janmabhoomi Dispute

In a significant development in the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute, the Supreme Court on Wednesday extended its stay on the Allahabad High Court’s December 14, 2023, order permitting the inspection of the Shahi Idgah complex in Mathura by a court-appointed commissioner. The case revolves around a dispute between Hindu petitioners and the Shahi Idgah Mosque Committee regarding the alleged construction of the mosque on the Krishna Janmasthan, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan heard appeals filed by the Mosque Committee challenging the High Court's decision. The bench directed the continuation of the stay and scheduled the case for a detailed hearing in the week commencing April 1, 2025.

The Supreme Court first ordered the stay on January 16, 2024, citing the need to resolve critical legal issues arising from the case. The Hindu petitioners maintain that the mosque was constructed over the Krishna Janmasthan and have filed multiple suits seeking its relocation. Meanwhile, the Mosque Committee contends that the High Court overstepped its authority by granting interim relief to the Hindu petitioners while their petitions challenging the transfer of all related suits to the High Court were still pending in the Supreme Court.

The controversy deepened in December 2023 when the Allahabad High Court ruled that the cases were not barred by the Places of Worship Act, 1991. This decision, which has significant implications for the dispute, has also been challenged before the Supreme Court by the Mosque Committee.

The Supreme Court's decision to extend the stay underscores the complexity of the legal questions involved in the dispute, including the applicability of the Places of Worship Act and the jurisdiction of the High Court to grant interim relief while related appeals remain pending.

This case, which touches on sensitive historical and religious issues, continues to draw national attention as the legal battle progresses. The next hearing in April 2025 is expected to address the broader implications of the case.