PRAYAGRAJ: Allahabad high court directed ASI on Wednesday to whitewash “flaking” portions of Sambhal Jama Masjid‘s outer facade and the mosque committee to reimburse the expenditure within a week.
HC said that barring the use of LED or focus lights to illuminate the periphery, there should be no extra lighting installation on the walls lest they damage the structure.
Next Sambhal whitewashing plea hearing on April 8
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal’s order came on a petition filed by the mosque management committee seeking permission to whitewash the mosque and clean the disputed premises, which a group of Hindu litigants say was built over a razed temple.
The court will next hear the case on April 8.
ASI filed a second supplementary affidavit Wednesday in response to a March 10 court order seeking to know whether whitewashing, extra lighting and installation of decorative lights were required outside the structure or not.
Advocate SFA Naqvi, counsel for the mosque committee, pointed out that ASI never explicitly stated in an affidavit that the exterior of the structure didn’t require whitewashing, extra lighting and installation of decorative lights.
Manoj Kumar Singh, representing ASI, said that there was some flaking on the structure’s exterior, but it would be possible to take a call on the extent of work required only after a proper survey involving archaeologists and conservation experts.
On Feb 27, the court directed ASI to inspect the site and report its findings the next day. ASI’s report said the enamel paint was still in good condition, at which the court asked it to clean the surroundings and shear the long grass. The court also permitted the mosque committee to submit objections to ASI’s report.