Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Friday fixed Feb 20 as the next date of hearing in the Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Eidgah mosque dispute at Mathura.Justice Avnish Saxena fixed the date after hearing counsel of both parties. The court examined some applications pending in suits and ordered to file their objections, including amendments, by next date. An application was moved by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain in which he demanded as representative for all suits. The court said it will pass an order on the application on the next date. Earlier, the court had observed: “The record is voluminous. The parties may file objections in all pending applications so that they could be decided at an early date.” It had also directed to rearrange the file strictly in accordance with General Rule (Civil) and numbered the same accordingly. It is to recall that the Hindu side had filed 18 suits for possession of land after removal of structure of Shahi Eidgah Masjid as well as for restoration of temple and for permanent injunction. Earlier, at one stage on Aug 1, 2024, the high court had rejected applications of Muslim side challenging maintainability of suits of Hindu worshippers and held that all suits were maintainable. The court had also held that these suits are not barred by Limitation Act, Waqf Act and Places of Worship Act,1991, which prohibits conversion of any religious structure as existed on Aug 15,1947. The controversy is related to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb-era Shahi Eidgah mosque at Mathura, which is alleged to have been built after demolishing a temple at the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
