Sambhal mosque row: The Uttar Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has informed the Supreme Court that the disputed well near the Mughal Jama Masjid in Sambhal is located on public land. Even on behalf of the Yogi government, it has been said that the disputed religious site is also built on government land. The status report was filed before the bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar after the apex court’s directive of 10 January.
The report said that the well known as ‘Dharni Varaha Kup’ locally is located not inside the disputed religious site, but near it. The Yogi government said that this well has no connection with the mosque/disputed religious site.
According to PTI, the report said, “The petitioners are trying to create private rights on a public well. This well is part of the 19 wells that are being revived by the district administration for the use of all communities.”
The report further stated, “Even the disputed religious site is located on public land. It is presented that the well is a public well. The mosque/disputed religious site is not located anywhere. In fact, There is no access to the well related to inside the mosque. “
The apex court had ordered the Uttar Pradesh Archaeological Survey (ASI) and others not to take any action on the well -related well located near the Mughal Jama Masjid in Sambhal on January 10, ordering the status quo.
The Masjid Committee argued that in the public poster of Sambhal Municipality, the well was said to be located in a corner of Hari temple. According to the Indian Express, the mosque management quoted the notice as saying, “Now (at the site) worship will be started.”
The mosque committee had told the court that the well was located on the border of the mosque. Water from the well is currently being pumped for the use of the mosque. The court then sought a status report from the state government. The State/District Administration had formed a three -member committee of SDM Sambhal, Area Officer, Sambhal and Executive Officer, Nagar Palika Parishad, Sambhal to investigate the status of the concerned well.