The Supreme Court of India today expressed its reluctance to interfere with the Allahabad High Court’s decision to consolidate all suits related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, observed that the consolidation would benefit both parties by avoiding multiple proceedings and conflicting judgments.
The Allahabad High Court had previously ordered the consolidation of 15 suits filed by Hindu parties, which claim rights over the Shahi Eidgah mosque in Mathura, alleged to have been built on the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The Shahi Eidgah Mosque Committee had challenged this order, arguing that the suits were not of the same nature and that consolidation would lead to complications.
Chief Justice Khanna, however, dismissed these concerns, stating that consolidation would not make a significant difference and would, in fact, streamline the judicial process. The Supreme Court has adjourned the matter and scheduled the next hearing for April 2025.
The dispute centers around the Shahi Eidgah mosque, which is claimed to have been constructed during the Mughal era after demolishing a temple at the Krishna Janmabhoomi site. The validity of a 1968 compromise agreement between the temple management authority and the mosque trust, allowing both places of worship to coexist, has been challenged in the consolidated suits.
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the consolidation order is seen as a step towards resolving the long-standing dispute more efficiently, ensuring that all related matters are addressed comprehensively in a single judicial process.
