The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the "scientific survey" of the Bhojshala complex, a medieval-era structure that both Hindus and Muslims claim as their own in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district, but said no action should be taken without its permission on the outcome of the ASI survey.
Hindus consider Bhojshala, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected 11th-century monument, to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community calls it Kamal Maula Mosque.
Under an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja in the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and P K Mishra issued notices to the Centre, Madhya Pradesh government, ASI and others on the plea filed by Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society challenging the March 11 order of the MP High Court on scientific survey.
"Issue notice returnable in four weeks. In the interim, no action should be taken without the leave of this court on the outcome of the ordered impugned survey.
"It is made clear that no physical excavation should be taken which will change the character of the premises in question," the bench said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
'Can't Say Everything Parliament Did During Emergency Is Void': Supreme Court In Preamble Case Strict Anti-Pollution Measures In Delhi To Continue For At Least 3 More Days Supreme Court To Hear Petition Seeking Ban On Websites With Jokes On Sikhs Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest "Violation Of Sovereignty, Abuse Of Power": Kanwal Sibal On US Report On Adani Group Indian Student In US Accidentally Shoots Himself Dead While Celebrating Birthday India Tops Representation In Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025 "Necessary To Change Job Definition": Minister To NDTV On World Bank Report Fact Check: Are Teflon-Coated Aluminum Utensils Harmful To Health? Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.