Krishna Janmabhoomi: Allahabad HC Gives Last Opportunity To Respondents To File Reply In Plea Seeking Transfer Of Case To High Court

The Allahabad High Court, on 4 April, gave a final opportunity to respondents, in a petition seeking transfer of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi case from the Mathura court to the High Court.

The respondents have until 7 April 2023, to file their replies via e-mode, with the next hearing scheduled for 11 April. 

The Transfer Application was filed by Bhagwan Shrikrishna Virajman and seven others, and Justice Arvind Kumar Mishra-I presided over the single Bench.

The Court noted that none of the four respondents had filed a counter affidavit so far, despite having been given the last chance to do so on 15 March 2023. 

Respondent one i.e the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, Lucknow, claimed that their counter affidavit is under preparation and will be filed soon. 

Respondent three, the Shree Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust, Mathura, declined to file a counter affidavit, stating that they want the matter to be decided expeditiously. 

Respondent four's lawyers, Kamlesh Narayan Pandey and Virendra Prasad Maurya, claimed to be appearing on behalf of the respondent and requested some time to file counter affidavits. 

However, the Court found their plea misleading and gave them a last chance to file their counter affidavit by 7 April 2023. If no copy of the counter affidavit is served upon the parties concerned, it will be deemed that respondent four has nothing to say in regard to the consideration of this transfer application. 

The Court has directed that filing of the counter affidavit and rejoinder affidavit should be done through e-mode of the High Court, and no latitude should be shown by either side.

The next hearing of the petition is on 11 April 2023.