SC says HC prima facie correct in impleading govt, ASI in Mathura row

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Monday said Allahabad HC was prima facie correct in allowing Hindu litigants to make Centre and Archaeological Survey of India as parties in the Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute.

Allahabad HC on March 5 allowed amendments to two lawsuits and permitted petitioners to make home ministry and ASI as respondents. A bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said prima facie there was nothing wrong in allowing the amendment of the lawsuit and replies to the amended plaint could be filed. "One thing is clear. The amendment to the original plaint (two lawsuits) by the Hindu plaintiffs has to be allowed," the CJI observed. SC, however, deferred the hearing on the plea of the Committee of Management, Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah, Mathura and tagged it with other pending cases relating to the dispute.

The mosque committee said the amendment fundamentally altered nature of original suit filed by the Hindu litigants, who claimed rights over the site of Shahi Masjid Eidgah , alleging it to be the birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna.