Suit Filed In Delhi Court Seeking Restoration Of Alleged Temple Complex Situated Within Qutub Minar Complex

The plea, filed on behalf of Jain deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and Hindu deity Lord Vishnu (through their next of friends), seeks restoration of the alleged temple complex, comprising of as many as 27 temples.

The Petitioners were represented by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu S. Jain before Civil Judge Neha Sharma on Tuesday, who fixed the next date of hearing on December 24.

The Petitioners have alleged 27 Hindu and Jain temples were dismantled, desecrated and damaged under the command of Mughal emperor Qutub-Din-Aibak, who raised some construction at the same very place of temples naming it as, 'Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque'.

It is submitted that the Mughal ruler failed to completely demolish the existing temples and only partial demolition was carried out and after reusing the material of the temples, the said Mosque was erected.

"On the walls, pillars and roof of the existing building the images of Gods and Goddess including other religious/ pious Hindu symbols and deities like Shri Ganesh, Vishnu, Yaksha, Yakshini, Dwarpal, Lord Parshvanath, Lord Mahavir, Natraj and symbols like Mangal Kalash, Shankh (Conch), Gada, Lotus motifs, Shri Yantra, Temple Bells and Sacred Lotus etc. are engraved. The 9 Structural inner and outer outlook of the building complex symbolizes with ancient Hindu and Jain temple Architecture. The corridor is completely of vedic style having rectangular galleries with holy symbol engraved pillars," the Petitioner has contended.

It is pointed out that the Petitioner's version is also supported by a short history displayed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which narrates that the 27 temples were demolished and reusing the materials of demolished temples the construction of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque was raised.

The Petitioners have thus urged the Court to decree the suit in nature of declaration, declaring that Deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and Deity Lord Vishnu, along with Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva, Goddess Gauri, God Sun, Lord Hanuman including presiding deities of 27 temples, have right to be restored and worshiped with rites & rituals, performance of regular pooja within the temple complex situated in the area of Qutub Complex in Mehruli.

It is significant to note that the disputed site was declared to be a monument of National importance by Central Government and is presently being maintained by the ASI as per provision of the Ancient monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

Thus, the Petitioners have sought for a mandatory injunction directing the Central Government to create a Trust, and to hand over the Management and Administration of the alleged temple complex, after framing scheme of administration to such Trust.

Further, a prayer is made to permanently injunct and restrain the Defendants, i.e. Union of India and ASI, from interfering in making necessary repair works, raising construction and making arrangement for Pooja, Darshan and Worship of Deities.