Mathura court dismisses Sri Krishna Janam Bhoomi case (Ld)

Mathura, Sep 30 : Close on the heels of the Ayodhya verdict early Wednesday, all eyes were fixed on the likely outcome of the case filed in a Mathura civil court to settle a dispute between the local Shahi Masjid Idgah management and Sri Krishna Virajman, represented by Ranjna Agnihotri and eight others who had filed a fresh 57 page petition on September 25.

Civil judge senior division Chaya Sharma heard the arguments by the petitioners for more than an hour. Later in the evening, the court dismissed the case, there being no adequate reasons or justifications to consider the case afresh.

Karunesh Kumar Shukla, one of the signatories to the plaint, said the court had dismissed the case for insufficient ground.

Counsel for the petitioners Hari Shankar Jain said they would now move the Allahabad High Court. Jain said they had all the relevant supporting documents and their case was strong.

The petitioners wanted the October 12, 1968 agreement cancelled and the decree of July 20, 1973 also cancelled. They said the agreement was wrong.

The Sri Krishna Janam Bhoomi complex stands on 13.37 acres of land which was purchased in auction in 1815 by Raja Patni Mal of Banaras. Later a Sri Krishna Janam Bhoomi Trust was established on October 12, 1968.

A large crowd had collected at the Mathura district and civil court premises. Security was tightened at the Idgah Mosque and the Sri Krishna Janam Bhoomi complex. Inspector General Satish Ganesh alongwith senior police and administrative officials, including Mathura SSP Dr Gaurav Grover and SP Rohit Mishra reached Mathura to oversee the security arrangements. Police pickets were deployed at all entry points to Mathura.

Meanwhile, saffron activists rejoiced and distributed sweets as both Sadhvi Rithambhara and Vijay Bahadur Singh of Mathura were acquitted in the Babri Masjid case on Wednesday. Singh said it was the victory of truth.

–IANS
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