Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi: Dismissal Of Previous Plea Challenged In Higher Court In Mathura, Hearing On 16 October

An appeal has come up at the court of a district judge, Mathura, against a civil court order of 30 September.

The hearing is fixed for 16 October.

The 30 September order had dismissed a legal suit for the removal of the Idgah Masjid, which, the plaintiffs claim, “was built on the land of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi.”

Reportedly, the district judge’s court has "sought the records from the lower court..."

The petitioners have filed a case seeking removal of the mosque from the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi site. They claim that it was built "after razing a temple by then Mughal emperor Aurangzeb."

Here is what the petitioners have reportedly asserted:

"...Mughal emperor Aurangazeb had demolished the Krishna temple in Mathura during his rule. The temple that stood at the birthplace of Lord Krishna at Katra Keshav Dev was demolished in 1669-70. The existing Eidgah was built on the plinth of the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. The petitioners have asked to court to transfer the ownership of 13.37 acres of land to Shri Krishna Virajman (sic)."

This report says: "With the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, in place, the Supreme Court of India, after settling the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, had closed the possibility for fresh litigation to alter the status quo of sites such as those in Kashi and Mathura."

The petitioners have sought cancellation of a settlement entered into in 1968, by the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan (the governing body of the temple complex) and the Committee of Management of Trust of Shahi Idgah (Idgah Trust).

This entire area which is under dispute is known as ‘Katra Keshav Dev’.

The petion reportedly adds that "Katra Keshav Dev is sacred for the devotees of Lord Shri Krishna and the Hindu community. Hindu rulers have always paid homage to the birthplace of Lord Shree Krishna and from time to time they constructed/renovated temple at the spot..."

With the strength of around 80 saints across 14 states ‘Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Nirman Nyas’ has been formed on the lines of Ram Mandir Trust with an aim of reclaiming the land in Mathura -- along with other temples.