The Allahabad High Court on Friday dismissed an application seeking to replace the term “Shahi Idgah Mosque” with “disputed structure” in all future proceedings related to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah land dispute in Mathura.

The plea, supported by an affidavit filed by advocate Mahendra Pratap Singh, had requested that the court direct the stenographer to adopt the term “disputed structure” instead of “Shahi Idgah Mosque” in the ongoing original suits and connected matters. The request was opposed through a written objection submitted by the defendants.

Justice Ram Manohar Narain Mishra, who is presiding over a cluster of original suits linked to the Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah dispute, passed the order rejecting the application.

The legal battle centres around the claim that the Shahi Idgah mosque, built during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, stands on the original birthplace of Lord Krishna. The Hindu side has filed 18 suits seeking possession of the land, removal of the mosque structure, restoration of the temple, and a permanent injunction.

Earlier in the proceedings, on August 1, 2024, the High Court rejected preliminary objections raised by the Muslim side regarding the maintainability of the Hindu worshippers’ suits. It held that the suits were valid and not barred by the Limitation Act, the Waqf Act, or the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits altering the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.

Subsequently, on October 23, 2024, the Court also dismissed a plea by the Shahi Idgah committee seeking to recall its January 11, 2024 order consolidating all related suits.

The litigation continues to draw attention due to its historical, religious, and legal significance.