Dhar Bhojshala hearing rescheduled for Feb 18:ASI’s 98-day survey report to be opened; proceedings deferred due to lawyers’ strike

The crucial hearing in the historic Bhojshala dispute in Dhar, scheduled for Monday, has been postponed. The next hearing will now take place on February 18. According to High Court’s Indore Bench advocate Shreesh Dubey, the matter—pertaining to Bhojshala, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)—could not be heard due to a strike by the bar association. The court subsequently fixed February 18 as the next date of hearing. ASI’s 98-day scientific survey report to be opened During the upcoming hearing, the 98-day scientific survey report prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to be opened. The report is proposed to be made public for the first time. It will be shared with the counsels of both parties as well as representatives of the Hindu and Muslim sides involved in the case. The findings of this report are considered crucial and may significantly influence the future course of the dispute. Hearing under Supreme Court’s direction The matter is being heard at the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court under directions from the Supreme Court. A division bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi is presiding over this sensitive case. Report may determine future course It is widely believed that the ASI survey report could play a decisive role in determining the original character of Bhojshala and issues related to its religious usage. For this reason, the upcoming hearing is being regarded as historic, with considerable interest and anticipation across the state. Petitioner Ashish Goyal is closely monitoring the developments in the case. The February 18 hearing is expected to witness significant discussions regarding the ASI report and the future proceedings in the matter.