Shahi Jama Masjid-Harihar temple dispute in UP's Sambhal to be heard on Sept 25

The Muslim side is contesting the case's maintainability in the Allahabad High Court, while the Hindu petitioners claim the mosque was built over a temple.

A court in Chandausi on Thursday fixed September 25 to hear the ongoing Shahi Jama Masjid-Harihar temple dispute.

Sambhal Jama Masjid committee president Zafar Ali being carried by supporters after being released from prison. (PTI)

The matter was listed for hearing before civil judge (senior division) Aditya Singh.

Shahi Jama Masjid advocate Shakeel Ahmed Warsi, while talking to reporters, said the hearing was scheduled today but owing to the stay by the Supreme Court, it was deferred to September 25.

Hindu side advocate Shri Shri Gopal Sharma, while talking to PTI, confirmed the development.

The Muslim side has challenged the maintainability of the case in the Allahabad High Court, but on May 19, the high court upheld the trial court's order permitting a court-monitored survey and directed it to proceed with the matter.

The dispute dates back to November 19 last year, when Hindu petitioners, including advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain, filed a suit in the Sambhal district court claiming the mosque was built over a pre-existing temple.

The second survey on November 24 led to significant unrest in Sambhal, resulting in the death of four persons and injuries to 29 police personnel.

The police booked SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and mosque committee head Zafar Ali in relation to the violence besides registering an FIR against 2,750 unidentified persons.