Bhojshala Temple Dispute: Madhya Pradesh High Court To Begin Final Hearing From April 6

The High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Indore took up the matter regarding Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute today for hearing.

During the hearing before the bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi, Sr. Advocate Salman Khurshid, counsel appearing for respondent no. 8, Maulana Kamaluddin, drew the court’s attention to a recent Supreme Court order in the ongoing Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute, prompting the bench to align the schedule of hearings with the apex court’s directions and earlier orders passed in the matter.

Sr. Adv. Salman Khurshid, relied upon the Supreme Court’s order passed on April 1, 2026 in the appeal in Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society v. Hindu Front for Justice & Ors. arising out of the same dispute. Particular emphasis was placed on paragraph 6 of the order, which reads as follows:

“It, thus, seems that according to the appellant, there are some objections which arise from what is duly recorded in the course of videography. We have no doubt that the learned High Court, after seeing such videography, shall consider those objections too, along with other objections made by the parties, in accordance with the principles of natural justice. The High Court shall, accordingly, take an appropriate decision on the objections, including those which are found arising from the videography.”

The Supreme Court had observed that certain objections raised by parties stemmed from aspects captured during videography conducted at the site and clarified that such objections must also be duly considered by the High Court in accordance with principles of natural justice.

Taking note of the submissions and conceding the position emerging from both the Supreme Court’s order dated April 1, 2026 and its earlier order dated January 22, 2026, the High Court acknowledged the need to proceed towards final adjudication in a structured manner. The court also referred to its own previous order dated March 11, 2026. 

In view of this, the bench directed that all connected matters be fixed for final hearing, with proceedings scheduled to commence from April 6 at 2:30 PM.

The Supreme Court, while disposing of the civil appeal, had categorically stated that the High Court must consider all objections, including those arising from videographic evidence, without expressing any opinion on merits and leaving all questions open for adjudication. It had further reiterated that such consideration must adhere to principles of natural justice, thereby ensuring that all parties are afforded a fair opportunity to present their case.

Importantly, the Supreme Court’s earlier directions had already required the unsealing and sharing of the ASI survey report with parties, granting them time to file objections and participate in a full-fledged hearing.

Meanwhile, the High Court dealt with another connected aspect of the matter, in Shri Salek Chand Jain v. Union of India Through its Secretary of Culture Govt of India, where counsel sought additional time. Allowing the request, the bench directed that the matter be listed after two weeks, indicating that while the principal dispute is being fast-tracked, ancillary issues may proceed on a staggered timeline.

The Bhojshala site has for decades been at the centre of competing claims by Hindu and Muslim groups. Hindus regard the monument as the ancient temple of Maa Vagdevi Saraswati, while Muslims identify the structure as the Kamal Maula mosque.

The matter has progressed significantly after the High court earlier directed the Archaeological Survey of India to undertake a comprehensive scientific survey of the entire complex using modern and non-invasive techniques. The survey exercise continued for nearly ninety-eight days and aimed to examine the historical and structural aspects of the monument.

Following the completion of the survey, the ASI submitted its final report before the High court in a sealed cover. Subsequently, pursuant to directions issued by the Supreme Court of India, copies of the report were supplied to all parties involved in the litigation to enable them to examine the findings and place their responses before the court.

At present, the Bhojshala complex functions under an arrangement originally issued by the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 2003, under which Hindus are permitted to perform puja on Tuesdays and Muslims are allowed to offer namaz on Fridays.

The matter is now scheduled for hearing on April 6, 2026 at 2:30 pm.

Case Title: Hindu Front for Justice (Regd. Trust No. 976) Through its President Ms. Ranjana Agnihotri v. Union of India Ministry of Culture and other connected matters

Date of Hearing: April 2, 2026

Bench: Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi