Supreme Court orders unsealing of ASI survey report in Bhojshala–Kamal Maula dispute, sets timeline for final hearing

• What happened: The Supreme Court has directed the Madhya Pradesh High Court to unseal the ASI survey report on the Bhojshala Temple–Kamal Maula Mosque complex and share it with all parties.

• Why it matters now: The ruling lays down a clear, time-bound process that moves the long-running dispute closer to a final judicial determination.

• What changes for people: Both sides will now access the survey findings, file objections, and present expert views before the High Court.

• Who is affected: Hindu and Muslim stakeholders, ASI, Madhya Pradesh authorities, and the judiciary handling heritage-related disputes.

The Supreme Court on January 22, 2026, brought procedural clarity to the Bhojshala Temple–Kamal Maula Mosque dispute by directing that the sealed Archaeological Survey of India report be opened in court and supplied to all parties, paving the way for a final hearing before the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

What the Supreme Court ordered

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi disposed of an appeal arising from a High Court order that had mandated a scientific ASI survey of the disputed site.

The Court instructed that:

• The survey report must be unsealed in open court.

• Copies must be supplied to both sides.

• If any portion cannot be disclosed, inspection must be allowed in the presence of advocates and experts.

• Parties will get two weeks to submit objections, suggestions, or opinions.

• The High Court should then proceed to final hearing, considering all submissions.

Underline: The Supreme Court emphasised transparency and equal access to evidence before adjudication.

Status quo to continue at the site

The Court also directed that status quo must be maintained at the disputed complex until the High Court decides the matter.

All parties have been asked to:

• Abide by the ASI’s 2003 arrangement, and

• Refrain from any action that may alter the character of the site.

Underline: No physical changes or excavation are permitted during the pendency of the case.

Background of the Bhojshala dispute

Bhojshala, an 11th-century monument protected by the ASI, is claimed by:

• Hindus, who believe it to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), and

• Muslims, who regard it as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

Under a 2003 ASI order, the site has followed a regulated arrangement:

• Puja on Tuesdays for Hindus

• Namaz on Fridays for Muslims

How the case reached the Supreme Court

The matter arose after the Madhya Pradesh High Court, in its order dated March 11, 2024, directed the ASI to carry out a scientific investigation using modern methods.

The High Court had asked the ASI to:

• Form an expert committee of at least five senior ASI officers.

• Conduct complete photography of the premises.

• Open locked and sealed rooms to examine artefacts and structures.

The ASI completed the survey, but the report remained sealed with the High Court, prompting appeals.

Supreme Court’s earlier safeguards

On April 1, 2024, the Supreme Court had already ruled that:

• No action should be taken based on the survey findings, and

• No excavation should occur that could change the site’s nature.

These safeguards continue to apply.

High Court to hear all connected issues together

The Supreme Court has now requested the Madhya Pradesh High Court to:

• Hear the main writ petition through a Division Bench, preferably led by the Chief Justice or a senior-most judge.

• Take up challenges to the 2003 ASI order and any connected matters together, preferably within two weeks.

Underline: The objective is to ensure a comprehensive and conclusive hearing.

Why this ruling is significant

Legal experts say the order strikes a balance between:

• Judicial transparency,

• Religious sensitivity, and

• Protection of historical monuments.

By allowing access to the survey report while preserving status quo, the Court has sought to prevent speculation, unilateral action, or escalation.

What to watch next

• Unsealing of the ASI survey report in the High Court.

• Filing of formal objections and expert opinions by both sides.

• The final hearing and ruling on the character of the Bhojshala–Kamal Maula site.