Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Dispute: MP High Court To Commence Regular Hearing From April 06

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday (April 02) said that it will commence regular hearings in the Bhojshala Temple- Kamal Maula Mosque Dispute from Monday, April 06. The matter could not be taken up in detail today due to paucity of time, since the bench was sitting only till 1:30 pm. The division bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi directed; "We fix all the matters for the hearing, and the hearing will commence from April 6, 2026, at 2:30 PM". The dispute centres around Bhojshala, an 11th-century monument located in Dhar and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The site holds religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims. Hindus believe the structure to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims regard it as Kamal Maula Mosque. To manage competing claims, a 2003 arrangement by the ASI permitted Hindu to perform pooja on Tuesday and Muslims to offer Namaz on Fridays. On March 11, 2024, the High Court had directed the Archaeological Survey of India to undertake an investigation and survey using the latest methods to determine the real and true character of the site. It had instructed that the survey be carried out by an expert committee of not less than five senior-most ASI officers. It also ordered comprehensive photography of the premises and permitted the opening of locked and sealed rooms to enable scientific examination of artefacts and structural elements found within.Subsequently, on April 1, 2024, the Supreme Court directed that no action should be taken on the outcome of the survey and that no physical excavation should be undertaken, which may alter the character of the site.In January 2026, the Supreme Court disposed of the matter. Following this, the High Court directed all parties to submit their objections and opinions regarding the scientific survey. The court had also ordered that the status quo of the site be maintained in terms of the Supreme Court order dated January 22, 2026.The Madhya Pradesh High Court, on February 23, directed all parties to submit their objections and opinions regarding the scientific survey conducted by the ASI. On March 16, two judges hearing the matter decided to visit the disputed site.Thereafter, Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court, seeking production of the video records and the photographs.However, the Top Court observed that it had no reason to doubt that the Madhya Pradesh High Court would consider the objections of the Mosque management, which are stated to be recorded in the videography of the survey by the ASI.Case Title: Hindu Front For Justice v Union of India [WP - 10497/2022 (PIL)]

Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Dispute: MP High Court To Commence Regular Hearing From April 06

Jayanti Pahwa

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