Indian court rejects plea seeking removal of 17th century Mosque

A court in northern Indian city of Mathura has dismissed the plea seeking the removal of a mosque near the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the petitioners’ counsel said.

“We will move to the upper court as several pertinent issues have not been considered by the court,” the counsel for the plaintiffs, Hari Shankar Jain, said.

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Last week, a group of people moved to the Mathura court over the 17th century Shahi Idgah mosque they claim was built at the birthplace of Lord Krishna, a major deity in Hinduism, within the 13.37-acre premises of the Katra Keshav Dev temple.

The suit, which was filed in the court of civil judge, senior division, demanded the annulment of an earlier Mathura court ruling, ratifying a land deal reached between the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan and the Shahi Idgah Management Committee on the mosque.

The plaintiffs sought an order directing the mosque management to “remove the construction raised by them encroaching upon the land within the area of the Katra Ksehav Dev temple”.

The plea demanded prohibitory injunctions restraining the defendants, their workers, supporters, men, attorneys and every person acting under them from entering the 13.37-acre premises. (Times of India)