MP High Court Judge Visits Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque Site Ahead Of April 2 Hearing In Case

-Bhopal: A judge from the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court on Saturday visited the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque site in Dhar in the state to obtain information about the ancient monument ahead of two hearings of the case in April.

A senior district official said that Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla, who is currently on the division bench of the court hearing the case, visited the site amid tight security and some experts briefed him about the historical significance of the art and artworks and the structure of the monument.

Dhar district collector Priyanka Mishra and local police chief Mayank Awasthi were present on the occasion.

Justice Shukla visited different parts of the monument and closely observed its pillars, inscriptions and carvings engraved on them.

The court had previously announced that the delegation would visit the disputed site to understand the monument and its historical significance before the next hearing of the case, scheduled for April 2.

Earlier, the dispute over ownership of the monument had reached a new level when the high court accepted a petition claiming that a Jain temple was located inside the complex and community members sought permission from the court to worship at the temple.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), upon the instructions of the court, conducted a comprehensive scientific study on the monument and submitted its 98-page report to the court at the final hearing of the case.

However, the court wanted to visit the site without the involvement of the rival parties before the next hearing of the case on April 2.

While Hindus claim the location of the Vagdevi temple, where Goddess Saraswati is worshiped, Muslims also claim the monument commemorating the Kamal Maula Mosque.

In order to resolve the conflict between the two communities, the ASI made a regulation allowing Hindus to pray at the Vagdevi temple every Wednesday, while allowing Muslims to pray in the mosque every Friday.