Supreme Court backs clubbing suits in Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case

The Supreme Court on Friday observed that clubbing all suits relating to Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute will benefit both sides and avoid multiple proceedings.

The decision of the Allahabad High Court to club all suits relating to the case prima facie found favour with a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna.

The bench observed that clubbing all suits will benefit both sides. "Why should we intervene in the issue of consolidation of suits," the bench asked the counsel appearing for the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Idgah. The counsel argued that clubbing of suits will lead to "complications".


The argument found little favour with the bench which observed that the consolidation of suits will ensure that multiple proceedings are avoided. The bench verbally remarked that "everything need not be agitated. What difference will it make if it's consolidated? Now the written submissions are also taken on record. But anyways consolidation makes no difference at all". The bench adjourned the matter to April.

The development took place during the resumed hearing of a plea filed by the mosque side, challenging the Allahabad High Court order allowing the temple side's plea seeking consolidation of the suits.

The case arose after the temple side filed a suit before the civil court claiming that the Shahi Idgah mosque was built over Krishna Janmabhoomi land. The civil suit was filed on behalf of Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman and certain devotees. The plaintiffs sought the removal of the mosque from its current site.