M.P. HC to begin regular hearing of Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque dispute case from April 6

The Madhya Pradesh High Court said on Thursday (April 2, 2026) that it will start regular hearings in the dispute cases related to the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque site in Dhar from April 6.

The development comes a day after the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the matter on a petition from the Muslim side while directing the High Court to consider the objections of all parties on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)’s report of a scientific survey of the site. 

A Division Bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi in Indore took note of the observations made by the Supreme Court on April 1 on an appeal filed by the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, which is representing the Muslim community in the matter. 

The Muslim side had approached the SC seeking that the videography and colour photographs of the ASI survey be also handed to all parties. 

While leaving the adjudication in the matter to the High Court, the Supreme Court said, “It, thus, seems that according to the appellant [the Muslim side], there are some objections which arise from what is duly recorded in the course of videography. We have no doubt that the learned High Court, after seeing such videography, shall consider those objections too, along with other objections made by the parties, in accordance with the principles of natural justice. The High Court shall, accordingly, take an appropriate decision on the objections, including those which are found arising from the videography.” 

Taking note of the SC’s directions, the High Court said, “Considering the aforesaid and previous order passed by the Apex Court on January 22, 2026, and also the order passed by this Court on March 11, 2024, we fix all the matters for hearing which shall commence from April 6, 2026 at 2.30 p.m.”

Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid represented the Muslim side in the latest hearings in the High Court and the Supreme Court. 

The High Court had earlier said that the objections on the ASI survey report as well as the videos and photos will be considered at the time of the final hearing in the matter. The court had asked all parties to file their objections or suggestions before the April 2 hearing.  

The nearly 2,200-page report of the ASI says that the current structure was built on the ruins of ancient temples by using their remaining parts.

“It can be said that the existing structure is constructed over a pre-existing structure of basalt, lower part of which still exist as the base of present structure,” it says, adding that that a large structure dating back to the reign of the Parmar kings of Dhar between the 10th and 11th century CE predated the mosque.

“Remains of these earliest structures constructed at the site, still exist in-situ, and are covered under the thick and heavy slabs of basalt used during the construction of the platform. Based on the artifacts found during the investigations, these brick structures can be dated to the Paramara period, i.e. 10th-11th century CE,” it says.

While the petitioners of the Hindu Community has expressed its satisfaction with the survey report, the Muslim side has alleged that the ASI ignored its earlier objections. 

The site is an ASI-protected, 11th Century monument. Under an agreement with the ASI in 2003, Hindus are allowed to perform puja at the complex every Tuesday, while Muslims offer namaz every Friday.

Meanwhile, the High Court also granted two weeks to government authorities to file their responses on a recently-filed plea which claims the existence of a Jain temple and a gurukul at the disputed site.