The Supreme Court on Friday directed the trial court in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal to pause proceedings in the mosque survey case until the Shahi Idgah committee of Jama Masjid approaches the High Court. The directive comes after violence erupted in Sambhal, claiming five lives, following a court-ordered survey of the mosque.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, ordered that the survey report prepared by the court commissioner be kept in a sealed cover and remain unopened for now.

"We want peace and harmony. Let the matter be pending. The petitioner should approach the High Court, and until then, the trial court should refrain from taking further action," stated CJI Khanna during the hearing.

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea from the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Committee challenging the trial court's decision to commission a survey of the mosque. The survey was ordered based on claims that the mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babar in 1526 after allegedly demolishing a temple on the site.

The top court instructed the High Court to hear the mosque committee's petition within three working days and set January 6, 2025, as the date for further consideration of the plea before the Supreme Court. "We have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case. The present plea is not being disposed of but will be re-listed in January 2025," the court clarified.

Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the mosque committee, argued that the trial court's order could lead to "significant public mischief," pointing out that similar cases were emerging nationwide. "In several instances, surveyors are appointed on the very first day, which raises concerns," Ahmadi told the bench.

In response, the Supreme Court urged the district administration to ensure peace and harmony and recommended forming mediation committees under Section 43 of the Mediation Act to prevent further unrest. The trial court has been directed to take no further steps until January 8, 2025.