The Supreme Court Tuesday refused to interfere with the Allahabad High Court order asking the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to undertake the whitewashing of the exterior part of the disputed mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, and to recover the expenses incurred from the mosque committee. “We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgment,” a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar said, dismissing the appeal. Appearing for the appellant Satish Kumar Agarwal, Advocate Barun Sinha contended that such permissions will create more confusion. The plea pointed out that a single judge of the Allahabad HC on March 12 directed ASI to complete the whitewashing, and claim the expenses from the committee of management of Jami Masjid, Sambhal. “The direction to the Archeological Survey of India to recover incurred expenses from the Committee of Management of Jami Masjid Sambhal is prejudicial to the right and interest of the Petitioner being a devotee of Hari Har Temple, Sambhal,” said the plea. Advocate Sinha submitted that ASI had enough funds to take up the whitewashing if it was really needed, but the court refused to intervene or issue any direction. On December 12, 2024, the Supreme Court barred civil courts across the country from registering fresh suits challenging the ownership and title of any place of worship or ordering surveys of disputed religious places until further orders, and made it clear that no “effective" orders can be passed. Hearing a batch of six petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, said then, “As the matter is sub judice before this Court, we deem it appropriate to direct that, though fresh suits may be filed, no suits would be registered and no proceedings shall be undertaken therein till further orders of this Court.” “Further, in the pending suits, no Court will pass any effective interim orders or final orders, including orders directing surveys, etc. till the next date of hearing/further orders of this Court,” the bench directed.
