The Court Commissioner, Ramesh Singh Raghav, is expected to submit the survey report concerning the claim that Sambhal’s Jama Masjid was originally the Harihar Mandir. The report will likely be filed in a sealed envelope in the first week of January 2025, according to sources.
The survey report, which is said to be nearly complete, is expected to be submitted on either January 2 or 3. The matter came to light after a lawsuit was filed on November 19, 2024, in the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal, by Kaila Devi Temple’s Mahant Rishiraj Giri, advocate Harishankar Jain, and six other petitioners. The suit claimed that the Shahi Jama Masjid was originally the Harihar Mandir.
On the same day, advocate Ramesh Singh Raghav was appointed as the Court Commissioner and directed to conduct a survey of the site under heavy security and in the presence of senior district officials. On November 24, when the Court Commissioner attempted to conduct a second survey under the protection of the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, violent clashes erupted, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to several police personnel. Following the incident, the report, initially due on November 29, was delayed, and a 10-day extension was granted by the court.
The submission was further postponed to December 9 due to the Court Commissioner citing health issues and requesting additional time to finalize the report.
This led to objections from the Jama Masjid’s legal counsel, Shakeel Warsi, who opposed the repeated extensions.
Court Commissioner Raghav stated that with the court scheduled to reopen on January 1, the survey report is nearly ready and will be submitted in a sealed envelope by January 2 or 3, 2025.
“The report is almost complete. Once the court resumes after its week-long recess, we plan to submit it promptly,” said Raghav.
The case, which has already seen significant tension and loss of life, is being closely monitored for its potential to further escalate communal sensitivities in the region. Authorities are maintaining heightened security as the legal process unfolds.
