Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 22: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on Friday a plea by the Muslim side seeking a nearby alternate site for offering namaz near the disputed Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to seek instructions from the Madhya Pradesh government on whether an alternate prayer space could be provided adjacent to the disputed site.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Muslim side, told the court that the state government had identified a prayer location that was too far from the Bhojshala complex. He claimed the site was around 2 km away, contrary to the court's earlier direction to provide an open space near the disputed premises for Friday prayers.
"The order was that land should be near the Bhojshala site. The land given for Friday prayer is 2 km away. We have already missed Friday prayers," Ahmadi said.
Representing the Madhya Pradesh government, Mehta said the alternate site was approximately 900 metres away from the complex. However, he assured the bench that he would personally review the matter and take corrective steps if required.
Justice Bagchi observed that the court's earlier order must be followed "in letter and spirit".
The bench subsequently decided to list the matter for hearing on Friday and directed the Solicitor General to obtain instructions regarding the possibility of providing an adjacent site for namaz.
Earlier on July 14, while hearing appeals filed by the Muslim side against a Madhya Pradesh High Court judgment declaring the disputed Bhojshala complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Supreme Court had directed the state government to arrange a separate open space near the site for Friday prayers between 1 pm and 3 pm until the case is finally decided.
The matter will now be taken up by the Supreme Court on Friday, specifically on the issue of the alternate prayer location.