M.P. HC to begin regular hearing of Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque dispute case from April 6

The Madhya Pradesh High Court said on Thursday, April 2, 2026, that it will start regular hearings from April 6 in dispute cases related to the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque area in Dhar.

This development comes a day after the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the matter on a petition by Muslims and directed the Supreme Court to take into account objections of all parties regarding a scientific survey report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the region.

A Bench of Justices in Indore, Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi, took note of the observations made by the Supreme Court on April 1 on the objection filed by the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Association, representing the Muslim community, in this regard.

The Muslim side had approached the SC demanding that the video and color photographs of the ASI investigation should also be distributed to all parties.

While the Supreme Court left the decision on the issue to the Supreme Court, “It seems that, according to the appellant, [the Muslim side]There are some objections arising from what was duly recorded during the video shooting. We have no doubt that the learned High Court, after viewing such videos, will consider these objections along with other objections raised by the parties in accordance with the principles of natural justice. “Accordingly, the Supreme Court will make the appropriate decision on objections, including those arising from videography.”

Taking into account the instructions of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court said, “Taking into account the said and previous decision of the Supreme Court on January 22, 2026 and the decision of this Court on March 11, 2024, we determine all the matters of the hearing, which will begin at 14.30 on April 6, 2026.”

Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid represented the Muslim side in the recent hearings in the High Court and Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court had previously said that objections to the ASI investigation report and videos and photographs will be considered at the final hearing of the case. The court asked all parties to present their objections or suggestions before the hearing on April 2.

In ASI’s approximately 2,200-page report, it is stated that the current structure was built on the ruins of the ancient temple, using the remaining parts.

“The present structure can be said to have been built on a pre-existing basalt structure, the lower part of which is still present as the foundation of the present structure,” he says, adding that it predates the mosque by a large structure dating back to the reign of the Parmar kings of Dhar between the 10th and 11th centuries AD.

“The remains of the oldest structures built in this area are still in place and are located under the thick and heavy basalt slabs used during the construction of the platform. According to the artifacts found during the research, these brick structures can be dated to the Paramara period, that is, the 10th-11th century AD.”

While the petitioners of the Hindu Community expressed satisfaction with the survey report, the Muslim side alleged that the ASI had ignored their earlier objections.

The site is an 11th-century monument protected by ASI. Under a 2003 agreement with the ASI, Hindus are allowed to perform puja at the complex every Tuesday, while Muslims offer prayers every Friday.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has given two weeks to government officials to respond to a recently filed plea alleging the existence of a Jain temple and a gurukul in the disputed area.