Sambhal series | “Masjid committee denied entry to officials for long, latest inspection report says monument is defaced”: ASI informs local court

The ASI has told the court that the current status of the monument/mosque is unknown as the Masjid Committee members have prevented ASI officials from entering the mosque.for a long time‘.

The ASI, however, maintained that despite the difficulties, its team conducted inspections of the monument whenever possible, making significant efforts with the support of the district administration.

The court was also told that the local masjid committee had made several changes to the mosque/monument, which were found during the ASI’s last inspection on June 25, 2024.

“…the Masjid Management Committee involved in the monument has carried out various interventions, additions, changes etc. to the monument. The inspection carried out by ASI officials in June 2024 documented some of the interventions carried out on the monument. A copy of this inspection note can be found in Appendix I of the affidavit. However, there are limitations for the ASI team in the inspection, the current status and the additions made are not known to ASI“ says the ASI WS.

It adds that whenever the ASI noticed any modern intervention activity, appropriate complaints were lodged with the local police and show-cause notices were also issued to the defaulters.

These departures came in response to a lawsuit filed by eight plaintiffs, including: Mahant Rishiraj Giriwho claimed that the mosque in question was built in 1526 after a temple that stood there was demolished.

According to the Hindu plaintiffs, the mosque in question was originally the site of an ancient temple (Hari Har Temple). Kalkithe last avatar of Lord Vishnu. In 1526, on the orders of the Mughal emperor Babar, the temple was partially demolished and converted into a mosque.

The WS with affidavit signed by Senior Archaeologist in Meerut Circle of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Vinod Singh Rawatalso includes an inspection report (dated June 25, 2024) stating The original structure of the centrally protected monument has been distorted in several places.

“Bright colors are frequently used inside the main body and the overall appearance of the centrally protected monument has been significantly compromised.” says the report.

In related news, yesterday, the the Supreme Court asked the Sambhal trial court not to proceed with the suit against the Shahi Jama Masjid at Chandausi until the Masjid Committee’s petition against the survey order is filed in the Allahabad High Court.