'Why intervene in consolidation of suits,' Supreme Court on Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Eidgah land dispute

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday questioned as to why it should intervene in the Allahabad High Court's decision to consolidate nearly 18 suits relating to Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Eidgah land dispute and transfer those to itself from various civil courts in Mathura.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said the consolidation of suits was beneficial for the parties as multiple proceedings should be avoided.

"Why should we intervene in the consolidation of suits," the bench asked a counsel, appearing for the Muslim side.

The counsel said suits were not similar in nature and if those suits were taken up together, they would lead to complications.

The bench, however, felt it would lead to no complication and it was for the benefit of the parties.

"What difference does it make if suits are consolidated," the bench orally observed, adjourning the matter to April 1, 2025.

The court was already seized of a matter related to the maintainability of suits.

The High Court had on May 26, 2023 decided to hear nearly 18 suits relating to the Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Eidgah land dispute by transferring them to itself from various civil courts in Mathura.

On August 1, 2024, the High Court said the trial in 18 suits relating to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute could continue, as it dismissed the challenge by the mosque management committee.

On January 16, 2024, the Supreme Court had stayed the Allahabad High Court's December 14, 2023 order directing a survey of the Shahi Eidgah mosque abutting the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura.