SC Halts Lower Court Proceedings on Places of Worship Disputes, Impacts Key Religious Sites

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday imposed a stay on lower courts from passing interim or final orders or directing surveys in disputes related to the character of places of worship, asserting that such issues involve larger constitutional principles. The interim directive affects ongoing cases involving 11 significant sites, including the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi, Jama Masjid in Sambhal, and the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna emphasized the importance of adhering to the Places of Worship Act (PoW), 1991, which freezes the religious character of places as they existed on August 15, 1947. The act also prohibits filing new suits or appeals related to such disputes. The court clarified that no surveys or final judgments could be issued by lower courts while it examines the constitutional validity of the act.

The decision is seen as a response to petitions challenging the PoW Act on grounds of religious and constitutional rights. On the other hand, bodies such as Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have supported the law, arguing that it upholds public order and the secular fabric of the nation.

The apex court granted four weeks to the Centre to respond to petitions challenging the act and set a similar timeline for replies supporting its validity.