Allahabad HC bins plea to recall order to club Mathura Idgah cases – Times of India

PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court on Wednesday rejected a plea to recall its order of Jan 11, 2024, consolidating all suits filed in connection with the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute at Mathura.
Dismissing the plea moved by the Shahi Idgah mosque side, Justice Mayank Kumar Jain said consolidating all suits would save the precious time of court and the expenses of litigants.Further, it would ensure smooth hearing and expeditious disposal, and help to avoid conflicting orders and decisions in different suits, the judge said. Justice Jain had reserved his order on Oct 16 after hearing all sides.
The high court’s decision means the Jan order would remain intact, allowing for a unified legal process for all the 18 cases concerning the disputed land, which holds religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims.
Earlier, moving the application on behalf of the Muslim side, Tasneem Ahmadi, a Supreme Court lawyer, had submitted that consolidation of all cases would deprive them of the right to oppose each case. Besides, it had been done at a premature stage, she said, contending that the cases should not be consolidated before framing of issues and collecting evidence.
Opposing the application, Hari Shankar Jain from the Hindu side submitted that consolidating the cases came under the court’s discretionary power, and neither of the parties had the right to challenge the same. The only purpose of such an objection was to delay the proceedings, Jain contended. He also submitted that consolidation did not mean losing the right to contest all the cases.