The Supreme Court on Friday intervened in a contentious issue in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where a dispute over the Shahi Jama Masjid and a well located within its premises had escalated tensions. The court ordered the Uttar Pradesh government and the Sambhal district administration to refrain from acting on a municipal notice that called for the opening of a well, half of which is situated within the mosque structure, and the other half outside it.
The well has been at the center of a dispute due to claims that the site was once home to a Hindu temple. In December 2024, the Sambhal Nagar Palika Parishad issued a notice for the cleaning and public use of the well, which had further stirred communal tensions in the area.
The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and communal harmony in the region, urging all parties to avoid escalating the situation. The court made it clear that it would continue to monitor developments closely to prevent any violence or unrest.
The next hearing has been scheduled for February 21, and the district administration has been asked to submit a status report within two weeks. The Supreme Court’s intervention highlights the sensitivity of the matter and the need to balance historical, religious, and social concerns in a manner that promotes peaceful coexistence.