A civil suit has been moved to Saket Court, Delhi on behalf of Jain Deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and Hindu Deity Lord Vishnu (through their next friends) alleging that “Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid” which is situated at Qutub Minar Complex was built in place of a Temple Complex. The plea seeks restoration of the Temple Complex which comprised of as many as 27 Temples.
The petition states that the Temple Complex was dismantled and damaged during the reign of Mughal Emperor Qutub-Din-aibak on his command. He was the one who raise some construction at the place of Temple Complex and named it Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque. It was also submitted that the emperor could not demolish the Complex completely and later built the Mosque using the same material.
The petitioner also points that their plea is supported by the history displayed by ASI (Archeological Survey of India) which states that 27 temples were demolished and using the same materials Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid was raised.
The petitioner thus prays to the court that the Jain and Hindu Deities have the right to be restored and worshiped with rites and rituals, the performance of regular pooja within the Temple Complex situated inside the Qutub Minar Complex, Mehrauli. It also prays to direct the respondents Union of India and ASI not to restrain the works of raising the construction of Temple Complex and not to interfere.
It also noted that the site under dispute was declared as a Monument of national importance and is looked after by the ASI as per the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. So the petitioners have also sought a mandatory injunction and directing the Central Government to create a Trust and handover the management and administration of Temple Complex to the trust.
