Allahabad High Court Directs Cleaning of Sambhal Mosque Before Ramzan

Court orders ASI to assess whitewashing needs while ensuring the mosque's structural integrity, with security heightened in the area.

The Allahabad High Court has instructed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to inspect the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal and determine if whitewashing or repairs are necessary ahead of Ramzan.
A three-member ASI team, including senior officials, visited the mosque to conduct the assessment and prepare a report for the court by February 28 at 10 AM.
The mosque committee had petitioned for annual whitewashing and maintenance, a practice typically carried out before Ramzan, which was initially denied by ASI and local authorities due to the site's protected status.
Security measures, including police deployment, CCTV surveillance, and drone monitoring, have been intensified around the mosque to maintain peace during the process.
The mosque's status has been a point of contention since November 2024, when unrest erupted during a court-ordered survey, resulting in clashes and fatalities.