BAREILLY: Advocate commissioner Ramesh Singh Raghav, tasked by the court of the civil judge (senior division) in Sambhal to survey the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, has sought “15 days more time” to submit a report, citing “health issues” for the delay. Notably, the 10 days given by the court for the survey report’s submission concluded on Monday.
Raghav had earlier said the report was “almost complete, and some analysis is pending”. He added, “Since Supreme Court stay order mandates lower court should not issue any orders, our application has been kept on file. Our report will be submitted within 15 days. The court will not issue any orders until Jan 6 as per the SC guidelines.”
The mosque committee’s counsel, meanwhile, raised objections to the “delay” and stated the report should have been submitted by now. Shakeel Ahmad Warsi, counsel representing the mosque’s side, said: “The report has neither been submitted today nor will it be… They conducted a survey on Nov 19 and another one on Nov 24 without the court’s nod. They were supposed to submit the report on Nov 29. Then, they asked for more time, and the court granted them another 10 days. Now, they are asking for 15 more days. They seem to be hand in glove with the plaintiff. Why don’t they want to submit the report?”
District govt counsel Prince Sharma told TOI: “The advocate commissioner has sought 15 days’ time for filing the report, citing health issues. The other party objected to it and argued in court despite knowing that SC had directed this court not to pass any decision until Jan 6. The court has accepted the applications of both parties. Since the court cannot take any decision, it will wait for the next direction. The next date of hearing in this court is Jan 8.”
On Nov 24, at least five people were killed and more than 20 police personnel injured after clashes broke out in the UP town during a court-directed survey of the mosque.
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