The Allahabad High Court ordered ASI to paint and install lights at Jama Masjid of Sambhal. The permission for whitewashing and lighting of Jama Masjid was given by the High Court on the occasion of Ramzan. They have given one week’s time to the ASI. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal is presiding over the court case.
During the hearing, the mosque side stated before the court that ASI did not carry out the survey despite an extension. They stated that a team of officials would be arriving for the survey this morning. The court reprimanded ASI for the same and stated that despite having on its plate several extensions, it has yet again fallen short of providing a clear answer to the mosque committee’s objections concerning the whitewash and that it is the ASI’s responsibility to whitewash the mosque. The court said that it is ASI that is running away from its responsibilities. And that ASI officials are protecting themselves on political grounds.
Objection filed on the report of ASI by Mosque committee
The petition for the painting of Sambhal Jama Masjid was heard on Monday by the Allahabad High Court. The hearing has been postponed until March 12. The ASI submitted its report in compliance with the order of the court. The report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) states that painting of the mosque is unnecessary. Some of the areas, both inside and outside the mosque, were covered in dirt and shrubbery, which were documented in photographs and submitted before the court.
ASI was ordered by the court to clean the mosque and remove the shrubs. The Muslim party sought time to file an objection to the ASI investigation report, and the Hindu party also required time to submit an affidavit. After hearing both parties, the court has put off the hearing until March 12. The High Court, on Wednesday, ordered the ASI to carry out the painting and lighting of the mosque.
