Krishna Janambhoomi-Shahi Idgah row: Mathura court allows lawsuit demanding removal of Shahi Idgah mosque

AGRA: The district court in Mathura on Thursday ruled that the suit filed for the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque on claims that it was built on Krishna Janambhoomi or the birthplace of Lord Krishna, is maintainable.
The suit was filed by the ‘Bhagwan Srikrishna Virajman at Katra Keshav Dev Khewat, Mauja Mathura Bazaar City’ through the 'next friend' Ranjana Agnihotri and six other devotees.
Till now, total 11 cases have been filed in Mathura court in this matter. The first suit was filed two years ago by Ranjana Agnihotri, a Lucknow resident and others.
The petition claimed that the mosque is built on Krishna Janmabhoomi. Thus, the petitioners sought the "ownership of the entire 13.37-acre land".
District and sessions judge Rajeev Bharti overturned a civil court order dismissing the suit filed by Agnihotri and others two years ago on September 30, citing a bar on admitting the case under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, after which the plaintiffs moved the district court against the order and filed revision petition on October 16, 2020. The court allowed their plea.
Agnihotri, a Lucknow-based lawyer, had represented the Hindu Mahasabha in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit in various courts including the Supreme Court.
Talking to TOI, senior advocate from Mathura Gopal Khandelwal, who is representing the case from Bhagwan Shrikrishna Virajman, said that the court has accepted their revision petition and stated that “we have a right to file suit and Places of Worship Act is not applicable in this matter. We have right to challenge the compromise of 1968 between Janambhoomi trust and shahi Idgah and suit is filed within limitation." He added if required the property will be surveyed and videography will be done.