The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has filed a response in court on December 1, 2024, seeking control and management of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, a protected heritage structure. ASI lawyer Vishnu Sharma reported facing resistance from the mosque's management committee and local residents during surveys conducted for the mosque. This tension has historical roots, as an incident on January 19, 2018, led to an FIR against the committee for the unauthorized installation of steel railings at the site. The mosque has been under ASI protection since 1920, and the ASI contends that any structural modifications must be carried out under its supervision to preserve the site's integrity [e3ee446d].
The situation escalated dramatically on November 24, 2024, when violence erupted during a court-ordered survey, resulting in four deaths and numerous injuries. In response to this unrest, a three-member judicial commission was established on November 28 to investigate the violence, with a two-month deadline set for its report. The commission is led by retired judge Devendra Kumar Arora and includes former IAS and IPS officers, tasked with uncovering the circumstances surrounding the violent outbreak and the broader implications for heritage management in the region [e3ee446d].