SC tells Madhya Pradesh HC to hear objections to videography of Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque premises

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the Madhya Pradesh High Court will consider the objections raised by the Muslim side regarding the ongoing Archaeological Survey of India's survey, including videography and colour photographs, of the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque premises.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi declined to interfere with the high court’s proceedings. However, the court said that all objections regarding the scientific survey must be heard in accordance with the principles of natural justice.

Senior advocate Salman Khurshid, appearing for the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, sought the record on the videography and colour pictures so they can make their objections accordingly within a week.

Advocates Barun Sinha and Vishnu Shankar Jain appeared for Hindu parties.

Earlier, the high court had said it would inspect the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex at Dhar before April 2 due to numerous disputes pertaining to the ASI-protected structure.

The court noted that the high court had already addressed the procedural timeline for these objections. It said the videography would be played in court, allowing all parties to offer appropriate comments regarding the survey report's acceptability and correctness in relation to the videography.

“The high court has passed an order in deference to our earlier directions. We have no doubt that the high court, after perusing the videography, will take up the objections in accordance with the principles of natural justice,” the bench said.

The court clarified that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case and that parties would remain free to approach the high court for any grievances.

On March 16, a high court bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi set April 2 for the regular hearing of the petitions related to the disputed complex and said it will inspect the site.

On March 28, the two high court judges inspected the complex in Dhar.