The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a plea from the Muslim side challenging the maintainability of lawsuits filed by Hindus regarding the Shahi Idgah Mosque-Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute in Mathura. Justice Mayank Kumar Jain delivered the ruling, which had been reserved since June 6, 2024.
Justice Jain’s bench is overseeing 18 related suits, 15 of which have been consolidated for joint hearings. The Muslim side had filed an application under Order 7 Rule 11 of the CPC to contest the maintainability of the lawsuits. These suits claim that 13.37 acres of land in Mathura, including the Shahi Idgah Mosque, belong to Krishna Janmbhoomi.
The lawsuits concern a 13.37-acre parcel in Katra, Keshav Dev, seeking the removal of the Shahi Idgah Mosque. Lord Krishna devotees assert that the mosque was built on land belonging to the deity and that Lord Krishna’s actual birthplace is beneath it. They allege that Muslims erected an illegal structure over the Krishna Janmbhoomi land.
The High Court heard extensive arguments from both sides over multiple hearings. The judgment, initially reserved on May 31, was reopened to allow Adv Pracha one more opportunity to address the court before being reserved again in June. Ultimately, the High Court rejected the Muslim side’s plea, affirming the maintainability of the Hindu suits, and allowing further legal proceedings on the case’s substantive issues.
