SC rejects plea against HC order for Sambhal mosque whitewash

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a petition challenging the Allahabad High Court’s order to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to whitewash the Mughal-era Jama Masjid in UP’s Sambhal district. Hindus have claimed that this mosque was built on the pre-existing, ancient ‘Harihar Temple’.

“We are not inclined to entertain the present petition... Dismissed,” a Bench, led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, told advocate Barun Sinha, who represented appellant Satish Kumar Aggarwal.

In its March 12 order, the HC had asked the ASI to undertake and complete the whitewashing of the mosque within a week. However, Sinha contended that the High Court wrongly ordered the ASI to whitewash the walls of the mosque.

“The ASI shall undertake the whitewashing work and complete the same within a period of one week from today. Further, no extra lighting shall be put on the walls, as it may cause damage to the monuments, but exterior lights in the shape of focus lights/LED lights may be used by the ASI for illuminating the outer area of the mosque. The expenditure incurred in the whitewashing shall be borne by the Masjid Committee, and the same shall be reimbursed within one week after the completion of whitewashing work,” Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court had said.

Earlier, the HC had directed the ASI counsel to make specific averments as to what prejudice would whitewashing of the outer walls of the mosque cause.