The Allahabad High Court has decided to hear 18 lawsuits filed by Hindus seeking the removal of a mosque from the 13.37-acre complex shared with the Katra Keshav Dev temple. The court dismissed the Muslim side’s petition contesting the maintainability of these suits today.
Justice Mayank Kumar Jain’s Bench delivered the verdict, which had been reserved since June 6. The court determined that all 18 suits are maintainable, allowing them to proceed on their merits.
The ruling addressed key arguments from both sides. The Hindu plaintiffs argued that their suits are not prohibited by the Limitation Act, the Places of Worship Act, or other relevant statutes. In contrast, the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah (Mathura) had claimed that the lawsuits were barred by the Places of Worship Act 1991, the Limitation Act 1963, and the Specific Relief Act 1963.
Taslima Aziz Ahmadi, representing the Muslim side, contended that the Waqf Board has jurisdiction over the matter and that the Waqf tribunal should hear it. The Hindu plaintiffs countered by alleging illegal occupation of the property, noting that no property under the name Shah Idgah exists in government records. They also argued that if the property is claimed as Waqf, the Waqf Board must disclose the donor of the disputed property.
The hearing of petitions is set to continue on August 12.
