A Delhi court on Thursday that heard pleas regarding restoration of 27 Hindu and Jain temples in the Qutub Minar complex deferred pronouncing judgment in the case to August 24. The plaintiffs, who appealed as friends of deities, demanded that the temples be restored and sought formation of a trust for its management.
Hearing the case, the Saket District Court deferred pronouncing judgment to August 24 after a fresh application was filed in the case, ANI reported.
The plaintiffs alleged the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid located within the Qutub Minar complex was built demolishing Hindu and Jain temples in the area during Muhammad Ghori's time.
The court had sought the response of Archaeological Survey of India in the case. The Archaeological Survey of India had admitted in its counter affidavit that there were a number of sculptures existing within the Qutub Minar complex including images of Lord Ganesha. However, it submitted that there was no provision under AMASR Act, 1958, under which worship can be started at any living monument and thus, no decree of permanent injunction as prayed for could be passed changing the existing structure, Live Law reported.
A civil court had dismissed the pleas, saying that wrongs of the past cannot be the basis for disturbing peace in the present and future. Neha Sharma, the civil judge, said in her verdict “Nobody has denied that wrongs were committed in the past, but such wrongs cannot be the basis for disturbing the peace of our present and future,” ANI reported.
The civil suit also sought an injunction directing the Central government to create a trust under Trust Act, 1882, for management of the temple complex after framing a scheme for its administration.
