New Delhi: On Friday, the Supreme Court instructed the Sambhal trial court to refrain from taking any further action related to the survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal. The Court also called on the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure peace and order in the area, which has been rocked by violence.

A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar ordered that the Allahabad High Court address the petition from the Muslim community within three working days after it is filed. "We trust that the trial court will not proceed with the matter until the High Court reviews and issues a ruling," the Court stated.

In its directive, the Supreme Court also called for the establishment of a peace committee, involving members of both the Muslim and Hindu communities in Sambhal, to help restore calm.

The trial court was further instructed not to review any reports related to the mosque survey until the High Court has made its decision. The Court advised the Muslim petitioners to appeal the district court's order in the High Court and set the matter for a hearing during the week beginning January 6.

The Shahi Jama Masjid’s management committee had approached the Supreme Court earlier this week, contesting the district court's November 19 order, which had directed the survey of the mosque based on claims that a Hindu temple once stood at the location. The petitioners sought an immediate halt to the survey pending a final ruling.

Tensions in Sambhal escalated following the November 19 order, which led to protests near the mosque on November 24. The protests turned violent, resulting in clashes with security forces, stone pelting, and arson. The unrest tragically claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured.

(With PTI inputs)