A nearly 20-foot-deep well has been discovered beneath the debris of a mosque demolished inside the Saharanpur Collectorate complex, adding a new element to an already contentious dispute over the religious structure. The administration has asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to examine the well and determine its age and historical significance.

The well, measuring about 1.5 metres in width, was found on Sunday morning while workers were clearing debris from the site. Officials said a heavy stone slab was encountered during the operation. After the slab was cut open, the well became visible underneath. 

Authorities have covered the opening with an iron sheet to prevent debris and soil from falling inside. Police personnel remain deployed around the Collectorate premises and access to the site has been restricted.

ASI to Determine Age and Historical Significance

Saharanpur Sadar SDM Subodh Kumar said the administration would rely on an archaeological examination before drawing conclusions about the well.

Officials have indicated that the structure appears to be around a century old, but its exact age and historical background can only be established after examination by archaeological experts. 

The discovery has already generated speculation over the history of the site. However, there is currently no official finding that the well is evidence of an earlier temple or another religious structure.

A person who had complained against the mosque, Vikas Tyagi, claimed that an older place of worship may have existed at the location before the mosque was constructed and called for an archaeological investigation. That remains an allegation pending evidence.

Mosque Demolished After Court Proceedings

The mosque inside the Collectorate premises was demolished on Saturday in an operation that continued for nearly 16 hours and was conducted under heavy security. The structure had been declared unauthorised by the city magistrate on the grounds that it stood on government land. 

According to reports, the legal dispute began after a complaint was filed in 2025 alleging that the structure was unauthorised. The city magistrate subsequently ordered its removal and imposed compensation of around ₹6.41 crore in connection with alleged unauthorised occupation.

The mosque management challenged the order. A district court later rejected the appeal, after which the administration proceeded with the demolition. 

Mosque Management Plans High Court Challenge

The demolition has not ended the legal dispute. Representatives of the mosque management have said they intend to approach the Allahabad High Court, arguing that due process was not properly followed.

The mosque side has also disputed the administration's position on the structure's age and legal status. Some Muslim religious leaders and representatives have described it as an old mosque and cited historical or waqf-related records.

These claims are part of the ongoing legal dispute and have not been independently established by the archaeological examination now proposed for the well.

Political Row Intensifies

The demolition has triggered reactions from leaders across the political spectrum.

Congress MP Imran Masood, who represents Saharanpur, criticised the action and questioned whether sufficient legal time was available to the mosque side before demolition. Other opposition leaders, including Chandra Shekhar Azad and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, have also questioned the administration's action.

AIMIM leaders criticised the demolition on constitutional and religious-freedom grounds.

On the other side, Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar defended the action, saying the demolition was carried out in accordance with the court's directions. The political debate has also included sharp exchanges over the demolition and the discovery of the well.

Why the Well Has Become the New Focus

The well has become significant because it was concealed beneath a substantial slab and was only exposed after the mosque debris was removed. Officials have so far stopped short of drawing historical conclusions from its presence.

Whether the well predates the mosque, whether it was associated with the structure, and what purpose it originally served are questions that remain open.

The ASI examination is therefore expected to be important in establishing the age, construction characteristics and historical context of the well.

For now, claims that the discovery proves the existence of a temple at the site should be treated as unverified claims rather than established historical evidence.

With the area under security and the well protected from further damage, authorities are awaiting the archaeological assessment before making any further determination about its history.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to stay the Madhya Pradesh High Court's judgment in the long-running Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex dispute in Dhar, but issued interim directions to ensure Friday prayers for the Muslim community at a location adjacent to the protected monument.

Hearing petitions filed by the Muslim side challenging the High Court's May 15 verdict, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan refused to grant interim relief by restoring the earlier worship arrangement. However, the court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to identify an open space adjoining the Bhojshala complex where members of the Muslim community can offer Friday prayers between 1 pm and 3 pm.

The apex court also directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) not to undertake any structural alteration or modification inside the Bhojshala complex without obtaining prior permission from the court.

Notice Issued on Muslim Petitions

The Supreme Court issued notices to all respondents after the Muslim petitioners challenged the High Court's ruling, which had recognised the Bhojshala complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and prohibited the offering of namaz inside the premises.

The Bench declined to suspend the operation of the High Court's order at this stage, indicating that the matter would require detailed examination during the final hearing. The case is expected to be listed again in about three weeks.

Muslim Side Challenges Change in Religious Practice

Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate Huzaifa Ahmadi argued that the High Court's judgment had altered a long-standing religious arrangement under which Muslims were permitted to offer Friday prayers while Hindus conducted worship on designated days.

He contended that the community had effectively lost access to the site following the High Court's order and questioned the conclusions drawn from the ASI survey report.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi also submitted that the High Court's verdict was inconsistent with the provisions and spirit of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. He argued that historical government records reflected the continuation of Friday prayers at the site over several years and that altering the existing practice raised significant legal questions.

Centre Defends Administrative Handling

Representing the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the High Court's judgment had been implemented peacefully and that the state administration had successfully maintained law and order after the decision.

He told the Bench that no major disturbance had been reported following the implementation of the High Court's directions.

ASI Barred From Structural Changes

Accepting a request made during the hearing, the Supreme Court ordered the ASI not to make any structural changes to the protected monument without prior judicial approval. The direction is intended to preserve the existing condition of the disputed site until the legal issues are finally decided.

Background of the Dispute

On May 15, 2026, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, relying on the ASI survey report and historical material placed before it. The court prohibited the offering of namaz within the premises while allowing Hindu worship.

The Muslim parties subsequently approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court had disrupted a long-standing arrangement that had governed religious practices at the site for years.

With notices now issued and interim directions in place, the Supreme Court will examine the ASI findings, historical records, constitutional provisions and statutory issues in detail during the next phase of the proceedings. The outcome is expected to have wider implications for disputes involving religious heritage sites across the country.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider petitions challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's verdict that declared the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. However, the apex court directed the petitioners to first rectify technical defects in their filings before the matter is formally listed for hearing.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan heard an urgent mention by the Muslim side seeking an early hearing in the matter.

CJI Seeks Removal of Technical Defects

Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi and advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for the Muslim petitioners, requested the court to list the matter urgently, citing its significance.

Responding to the request, Chief Justice Surya Kant instructed the petitioners to immediately remove the technical defects in the petitions. He assured the parties that once the deficiencies are rectified, the appeals would be listed before an appropriate Bench for hearing at the earliest.

The petitions challenge the Madhya Pradesh High Court's judgment delivered earlier this year on the long-running Bhojshala dispute.

Hindu Side Files Caveat

The Hindu side has already filed a caveat before the Supreme Court, ensuring that no interim or final order is passed without hearing its arguments.

With both parties now before the apex court, the decades-old religious and legal dispute has entered a new phase of judicial scrutiny.

What the High Court Had Ruled

On May 15, 2026, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court held that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi).

The court set aside the 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrangement that had permitted Hindus to offer prayers on Tuesdays and Muslims to offer namaz on Fridays.

It also directed that the management and administration of the monument be vested with the Central Government and the ASI.

Court Relied on Historical and ASI Evidence

The Division Bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi based its verdict on archaeological findings, historical records and the ASI survey.

According to the judgment, the evidence indicated that the structure was originally a Hindu temple and a centre for Sanskrit learning established by King Bhoj in 1034 AD. The court observed that this predates claims regarding the construction of a mosque at the site by several centuries.

The High Court had also criticised the ASI for alleged lapses in protecting and maintaining the heritage monument.

Additional Directions in the Judgment

Apart from declaring the site a temple, the High Court had suggested that the Madhya Pradesh Government consider allotting alternative land within Dhar district for the construction of a mosque, subject to legal procedures and an application by the Waqf Board.

The court had also recommended that the Central Government examine the possibility of bringing back the original Vagdevi idol, currently housed in a museum in London, and consider reinstalling it at the Bhojshala complex.

The legal battle will now continue before the Supreme Court, which is expected to hear the matter after procedural formalities are completed.

Road dispute turned violent on June 7, Bolero driver ran over 24-year-old Chandramani Ratre; two arrested, one a minor

A 24-year-old man was run over by occupants of a Bolero during a road dispute in Korba on the night of June 7 and died in a Raipur private hospital six days later, police and family sources said on Sunday.

According to officials, the victim was identified as Chandramani Ratre, a resident of Pantora village in Janjgir-Champa district and the son of ASI Ramnarayan Ratre of the traffic police. Initial reports indicate the incident began on the Budhwari bypass road in Korba late on June 7 when occupants of a Bolero allegedly created a disturbance on the road.

What happened
Sources familiar with the case said Chandramani was travelling in a car with friends when the Bolero party demanded right of way. A heated argument reportedly followed. As Chandramani stepped out of the car, the Bolero accelerated and struck him, leaving him critically injured.

“After being hit, Chandramani was taken to a private hospital in Korba,” a local police officer said. “His condition remained critical and he was later shifted to Raipur for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to injuries on June 13.”

Companion attacked, robbed
Two of Chandramani’s companions, identified as Arvind Rathore and Sahil Nirmalkar, chased the Bolero on a scooter, police said. They were allegedly intercepted by the attackers. Arvind suffered multiple injuries to his hands, face and body after being beaten, according to those close to the family. He was reportedly dumped by the attackers on the roadside, who later fled the scene.

Family members told reporters the assailants looted Arvind during the attack, taking around Rs 1 lakh in cash, an iPhone and gold jewellery including a ring and a chain. Police recovered the victim’s abandoned car three days after the incident.

CCTV footage emerges
Local sources said a CCTV clip of the incident has surfaced and is with investigators. “The footage is being examined for identification of other suspects and to corroborate witness statements,” a senior officer in Korba’s police administration said, requesting anonymity.

Arrests and probe
Korba police have arrested two suspects, one of whom is a juvenile. The arrested adult has been named as Kapil Kumar Sarathi of Katghora, officials said. Both are being questioned; probes are continuing into charges that include murder, kidnapping and robbery.

“Investigation is on multiple angles,” the Korba police official said. “We are tracking down other accused seen in the CCTV and those who fled after the incident.”

Local reaction
News of Chandramani’s death triggered anger in parts of the city and in his native village. His last rites were held in Pantora village. Social groups and friends staged demonstrations and demanded swift arrests and stringent punishment for the culprits.

“People are shocked and upset. This was a brutal act over a trivial road dispute,” a relative said. Community leaders called for heightened patrolling and immediate action by authorities to restore a sense of safety.

Background and context
Road rage incidents involving SUVs and light commercial vehicles have drawn attention across several central Indian towns in recent years, raising concerns about reckless driving and mob violence. Police sources said investigators are examining whether alcohol, prior altercations, or communal links played any part in the Korba episode.

What’s next
Police said medical reports and the CCTV are being used to strengthen the charges. Further arrests are expected as more witnesses come forward, the official added. The juvenile suspect will be dealt with under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, while the adult suspect faces prosecution under Indian Penal Code sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, robbery and kidnapping, pending legal advice.

For now, the case has stirred local outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement against road-side vigilantism and violent reprisals.

Madhya Pradesh HC recognises Bhojshala as Vagdevi temple; devotees hold prayers

High Court partly quashes 2003 ASI order, Hindu groups regain right to worship at Bhojshala; Hanuman Chalisa recited after verdict

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Saturday recognised the disputed Bhojshala–Kamal Maula complex in Dhar as the temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati) dating to the Bhoj-Parmar era, and granted the Hindu side the right to worship at the site, leading to early-morning prayers and celebrations by devotees.

Verdict and immediate response
According to court records made public on Saturday, the bench based its ruling on historical material indicating the site’s origin in the period of King Bhoj of the Bhoj-Parmar dynasty. The court also partially quashed an April 7, 2003, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order that had permitted the Muslim community to offer namaz at the site for a fixed period on Fridays, lawyers involved in the case said.

Following the verdict, office-bearers and members of local Bhojshala committees reached the complex in Dhar on Saturday morning under tight security. “All office bearers reached near the Yagya Kund, had darshan and recited the Hanuman Chalisa,” an organiser said. Committee convener Gopal Sharma and other officials offered flowers and performed rituals at the sanctum sanctorum of Maa Vagdevi. Officials also distributed sweets to mark the development.

Legal and administrative notes
ASI lawyer Aviral Vikas Khare told reporters the monument’s protected status remains intact. The ASI has maintained Bhojshala as a protected monument since 1904, and the court reiterated that complete administration, regulation and supervision of the structure will continue to rest solely with the ASI, the lawyer said.

Hindu counsel Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represented petitioners seeking worship rights, welcomed the judgment. He said the court had partially stayed the 2003 ASI direction and recognised the site as a temple, thereby restoring worship rights. Jain added that the court considered a demand to return an original idol of Vagdevi currently held in a museum in London, though he did not detail the bench’s direction on that specific point.

Ground-level scene
Local residents and pilgrims described a calm, orderly atmosphere at the heritage complex in the late morning. Devotees said they finally had an opportunity to perform rituals without restrictions. “Every particle of Bhojshala indicates that it is a temple,” Gopal Sharma told reporters after performing darshan near the Yagya Kund.

Security and civic monitoring
Dhar city authorities mounted tight security around the Bhojshala complex on Saturday, with local police and district officials monitoring the situation, officials said. Sources familiar with administration plans said additional deployments remained in place to pre-empt any untoward incidents and to ensure peaceful observance by both communities.

Potential Supreme Court action
While celebrations took place among Hindu groups, legal counsels on both sides signalled the possibility of further litigation. The Hindu side has filed two caveat petitions in the Supreme Court, anticipating challenges by the Muslim side, Vishnu Shankar Jain said. There was no immediate confirmation from lawyers representing the Muslim side about whether they would seek a review or approach the apex court.

Historical context
Bhojshala, located in Dhar district, is a complex of medieval structures long associated with King Bhoj (11th–12th century) and has been at the centre of competing claims over religious use. The site has attracted attention from historians and archaeologists for inscriptions and carvings linked to Sanskrit learning and temple architecture, while also being used for religious activities by multiple communities over decades.

Public reaction and outlook
Local civic leaders urged calm and respect for the ASI’s administrative role. “The court has set the legal position today; administration will continue under ASI,” an assistant district magistrate said. Officials said they would hold meetings in coming days with community representatives to ensure worship and access proceed without friction.

For now, the most visible change is at the ground level: devotees offering prayers, rituals conducted peacefully, and the recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa in the complex stands as the immediate public expression of the court’s ruling. How the decision evolves through further appeals or administrative directions will determine the long-term status of Bhojshala.

MP High Court Recognises Bhojshala as Vagdevi Temple, Quashes 2003 Restrictions on Hindu Worship

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday delivered a landmark verdict recognising the centuries-old Bhojshala complex in Dhar as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, commonly referred to as Vagdevi. The ruling effectively sets aside two decades of administrative arrangements that had allowed dual worship at the disputed site.

A division bench hearing five consolidated petitions concluded that archaeological evidence, historical records, and the Archaeological Survey of India's survey report collectively establish the religious character of the structure as a Hindu temple. The Court explicitly rejected the ASI's 2003 order that had denied Hindus the right to worship at the site.

Court Relies on ASI Survey, Ayodhya Precedent

The bench observed that evidence of a Sanskrit learning centre and a Saraswati temple had been found within the Bhojshala complex. Citing the Supreme Court's Ayodhya judgment, the High Court noted that every government bears responsibility for protecting ancient monuments of archaeological significance, including sanctums and idols associated with religious faith.

According to legal news portal Bar and Bench, the Court directed the Central government and the ASI to determine management protocols for the temple complex while maintaining its protected status under the 1958 Act.

Muslim Side Asked to Seek Separate Land

The verdict also quashed an earlier order that had granted Muslims the right to offer namaz at the complex. Dhar Shahar Qazi Waqar Sadiq told reporters that the Muslim side respects the judgment but will challenge it before the Supreme Court.

"We will review the detailed judgment and then approach the Supreme Court," Sadiq said. Senior advocates Salman Khurshid and Shobha Menon had represented the Muslim community during the hearings.

The Court has advised the Muslim side to request the government for alternative land to construct a mosque.

Heavy Security in Place Across Dhar

Administration officials moved quickly to prevent any law and order situation following the verdict. Dhar Collector Rajiv Ranjan Meena and Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma inspected security arrangements inside the Bhojshala complex late Friday afternoon.

Around 1,200 police personnel from across the district have been deployed in Dhar city. Security has been organised in 12 layers, officials said. The Rapid Action Force and reserve police contingents remain on alert. Police also conducted flag marches through sensitive areas.

The Bhojshala complex remains sealed with barricades at the main gate, with a heavy police presence outside.

Background of the Long-Running Dispute

Since 2003, Hindus had been permitted to worship at the site every Tuesday and on Vasant Panchami, while Muslims were allowed to offer namaz on Fridays. The complex remained open to tourists on other days.

Tensions had flared in 2013 and 2016 when Vasant Panchami celebrations coincided with Friday prayers. The petitions before the High Court were originally filed in 2022 by Ranjana Agnihotri and others from Hindu Front for Justice, seeking determination of the site's religious character and full worship rights for the Hindu community.

The ASI conducted a 98-day scientific survey of the complex in 2024. In January 2026, the Supreme Court had permitted day-long worship on Vasant Panchami.

What Happens Next

The Hindu side has welcomed the verdict as historic. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said the Court has also directed the government to consider the Hindu community's request for repatriation of a Goddess Vagdevi idol currently housed in the British Museum.

The Muslim side is expected to file a Supreme Court appeal in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the administration has indicated it will maintain the current security posture until tensions ease.