In response to a request by the Sambhal’s Jama Masjid management committee, the Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice and ruled in favor of maintaining the status quo over a private well next to the mosque’s entrance.

A panel made up of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna ordered the authorities to provide a status report within two weeks and prohibited any actions pertaining to the well without its consent.

A November 19, 2024, judgment of the Sambhal Senior Division Civil Judge permitting the appointment of an attorney commissioner to examine the mosque was contested in the case submitted by the Shahi Jama Masjid Committee of Management.

It was claimed that the survey caused riots and fatalities, which is why the highest court had to step in immediately.

Representing the Committee of Management, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi emphasized the well’s historical importance by saying, “We have been drawing water from the well since time immemorial.”

A note calling the location “Hari Mandir” and promising to begin religious activities there alarmed Ahmadi.

“Such actions will not be allowed. The CJI requested that you provide a status report.

The court ruled that no notifications pertaining to the well will be implemented and that the status quo must be preserved.

The Hindu side’s advocate, Vishnu Shankar Jain, said that the well has been used for worship for a long time and is not within the mosque’s jurisdiction.

Ahmadi used a Google Maps picture to back up his assertion that the well is partially within and partially outside the mosque’s grounds.

“Pass an appropriate direction to the District Magistrate, Sambhal, to ensure that the status quo is maintained with respect to the private well situated near the stairs/entrance of the mosque and not to take any steps/actions with regard to the same without due permission from this Hon’ble Court,” the motion read.

According to the mosque committee, it has appealed a judge’s ruling from the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Sambhal at Chandausi, dated November 19, 2024.

A plea to appoint an Advocate Commissioner to conduct a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was granted by the local court. Without hearing the plea on the day it was submitted, the mosque committee declared it to be granted.

“It was in view of a second survey having been undertaken that led to violence and loss of life that the captioned SLP was preferred under the extraordinary circumstances,” it said.