A district court on Wednesday fixed April 28 for hearing a plea claiming that the Shahi Jama mosque here was originally a Harihar Temple.
When the matter came up before Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh, the matter was deferred to April 28.
The petition was initially filed in another court on November 19, 2023.
A lawyer representing the Hindu side said the respondent was supposed to submit its written statement, but did not do it.
Also read: Sambhal riots: Judicial panel members record statements
Speaking to media persons, the advocate Gopal Sharma, said, "Today, the hearing took place in the court of Aditya Singh. The next date has been set for April 28. The mosque side's lawyer was to file their written statement today, but they have not submitted it yet."
He added, "We have appealed to the court to disallow any further opportunity for them to file their written statement."
Shahi Jama Masjid's head Zafar Ali, however, told the media, "There is a stay from the Supreme Court and High Court, therefore no hearing took place. The date of April 28 has been given."
Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.
Violence erupted on November 24 as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel, leading to stone pelting and arson. Four people died and several others were injured in the violence.
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