Allahabad HC orders ASI to whitewash Sambhal Mosque in one week

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to complete the whitewashing of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, within one week.

After hearing counsels for the parties, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court also directed the ASI to install lights on the outer portion of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier on Monday, the Allahabad High Court directed the counsel for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to provide specific details on how whitewashing the outer walls of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal would cause prejudice.

Counsel for the masjid committee, SFA Naqvi, submitted that "ASI till date has not disclosed in its affidavit that it is denying the whitewashing, extra lighting, and installation of decorative lights outside the disputed structure."

Naqvi also presented coloured photographs of the exterior portion of the disputed site, highlighting the need for whitewashing.

The mosque, a Mughal-era structure, gained attention after violence broke out during a survey ordered by a local court. The survey followed a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood there.

(with inputs from PTI)