Dynamite News Allahbad HC asks ASI to get Sambhal Masjid whitewashed in one week
After hearing counsels for the parties, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal also directed the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to install lights on the outer portion of the mosque. Read further on Dynamite News:
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday after hearing the matter of painting and whitewashing in the Jama Masjid of Sambhal, has given permission to whitewash the outer walls.
The mosque committee had filed a civil revision petition for permission to paint and whitewash the Masjid.
During the hearing, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal asked ASI lawyer Advocate Manoj Kumar Singh what is your report? Singh said that the mosque committee has done whitewashing for many years, due to which the outer walls of the structure have been damaged.
Justice Agarwal said what were you doing all these years? ASI said that we have lodged an FIR. Justice Agarwal said where were you in 2010, where were you in 2020? You people have woken up only in 2024-25. You said that the mosque committee has been doing whitewashing for many years.
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High Court reprimanded ASI
Justice Agrawal told ASI that you are working at the behest of the government. We are repeatedly issuing permits, yet you are failing to perform your duty. I am only allowing them to whitewash the outer walls. I am only disposing of their application.
Justice Agrawal told lawyer Vishnushankar Jain that there is no debate in the air. Advocate General is here, tell him to give notice to the mosque committee (the 1927 agreement has been cancelled). All the responsibilities of the previous government under the agreement are now on this government. He said that ASI says that the mosque committee has violated the agreement. Both ASI and the state's lawyer are present in this case, they have not given any notice that the mosque committee has violated the agreement. If there is no agreement or there has been a violation of the agreement, then ASI should send a notice.
Justice Agrawal told ASI's lawyer that your officer himself is afraid of giving a complaint. He feels that if he speaks today, tomorrow if this government is not there, he will get trapped. You get it whitewashed.
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Last Hearing
During the hearing held on March 10, the High Court had sought an affidavit from the ASI. The High Court had asked the ASI whether the mosque needs painting, additional lighting and decorative lights outside. In the last hearing, the ASI had filed its reply on the objection filed by the mosque committee on the ASI report. The High Court, while hearing, had sought an affidavit from the ASI on the demand for painting, additional lighting and decorative lights outside the building.
The court had also said during the hearing that if further investigation of the structure is required for painting, additional lighting and decorative lights, then the ASI can send its team. The case is being heard by a single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal.