Well near disputed Sambhal mosque situated on public land: UP to Supreme Court

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The Uttar Pradesh government on Feb 24 submitted a status report to the Supreme Court regarding the disputed mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, saying the well near the structure is situated on public land.

The report was filed in response to an application by the Shahi Jama Masjid Committee to maintain the current state of affairs with respect to a private well near the entrance of the mosque.

The state government defended the plan to revive wells, saying it was undertaken by the district administration. It called the committee's plea an attempt to thwart the well revival process, calling it not only illegal, but also detrimental to ecological preservation and regional development.

The state government submitted that the well in question, locally known as Dharani Varah Koop, was situated on public land. It maintained that the land is situated near the disputed religious site, not inside it.

The state government said that "the well has no connection with the Sambhal mosque. upon examining records, it was found that the mosque committee had failed to disclose the presence of a separate well within the boundary walls of the structure. The well was used by people of all communities historically".