ASI Filed Affidavit Related To Sambhal Jama Masjid: ASI accused Sambhal Jama Masjid Committee of obstructing the work.

New Delhi. In a legal affidavit filed in the Sambhal Court of Uttar Pradesh, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has accused the Jama Masjid Committee of obstructing their work. The ASI said that Jama Masjid, a protected monument since 1920, has become difficult to inspect due to the interference of the Masjid Committee. ASI has also accused the Mosque Committee of tampering with the original structure of Jama Masjid and illegal construction. ASI said that from time to time, whenever the team went to survey the mosque site, attempts were made to stop it by raising objections. In June this year, when a team of ASI officers was able to enter the mosque with the help of the police, some new construction work was discovered there.

ASI has claimed in the court that the provisions of the Protection of Ancient Buildings and Archaeological Remains Act 1958 are being violated in the mosque premises. ASI said that steel railings have been installed on both sides of the stairs of the main building. A report in this regard was also lodged in Sambhal Kotwali in January 2018. After this, the Superintending Archaeologist of ASI issued a notice to the Mosque Committee and sought a reply.

In February 2018, the Additional Commissioner of Agra Division had ordered the Sambhal DM to demolish the railing installed on the stairs of the mosque, but till date no action has been taken on it. Apart from this, as soon as one enters the mosque from the main gate, a new floor of red sandstone, marble and granite stone has been prepared on the ground. Due to this the old stone floor was destroyed. The tank in the middle of the mosque has also been renovated. In this way, many illegal constructions have taken place in the mosque premises.