A court in Uttar Pradesh on November 19 directed an advocate commissioner to conduct a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal over a plea claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Kalki temple during Mughal rule. The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal is recognised as a historic monument on the official website of Sambhal district.

The civil court in Sambhal has appointed Ramesh Raghav as the advocate commissioner to conduct a survey and submit report by November 29, the Bar and Bench reported.

According to the report, the direction was issued in response to a plea filed by advocate Hari Shankar Jain and seven others, who had claimed that the mosque was constructed over a demolished Kalki temple during the Mughal era.

The civil judge (senior division) Aditya Singh while listing the matter for November 29 said that it may be easier for the court to adjudicate the case if a report about the situation (at the site in question) comes (before the court).

“Therefore, in the interest of justice, Application 8C is accepted with the condition that at the time of the survey, the appointed Advocate Commissioner should get photography and videography done on the spot of the entire proceeding … Advocate Commissioner is directed to prepare the incident report in light of Application 8C and ensure that it is presented in court by the scheduled date,” the report quoted from order. 

The mosque in question is said to be constructed on orders of the first Mughal Emperor Babar

The petitioners on the Hindu side have contended that the site originally had an ancient temple dedicated to Kalki, the final incarnation of Hindu god Vishnu. They have accused the Jama Masjid caretaking committee of forcibly and unlawfully using the site.

The report further said that the lawyer for the Hindu side has claimed that Babar partially demolished the Hari Hari temple in 1529 to convert it into a mosque.