The Supreme Court has ordered a status quo until August 25, 2025, in the ongoing Sambhal mosque row, following a hearing on August 22, 2025. This order effectively halts any further developments in the case until the next hearing.

The dispute revolves around the Shahi Jama Masjid-Sri Harihar Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district. Hindu plaintiffs claim that the mosque was constructed on the site of a demolished Hindu temple known as Harihar Mandir. This has led to legal challenges and conflicting claims regarding the applicability of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991 and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

The case reached the Supreme Court after the mosque management committee challenged an order by the Allahabad High Court. The High Court had upheld a civil court's decision to appoint an Advocate Commissioner to survey the mosque. The mosque committee argued that the survey order was passed hastily, without affording them a full opportunity to be heard. They also raised concerns about the fact that the mosque was surveyed twice, with the second survey allegedly conducted without a court order. The initial survey in November 2024 led to violence in Sambhal, resulting in casualties.

During the recent Supreme Court hearing, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the mosque committee, argued that the High Court incorrectly determined that the suit was not barred by the Places of Worship Act. Conversely, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu parties, contended that the Act did not apply because the Sambhal mosque is a monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Jain argued that the Hindu plaintiffs were merely seeking access to the monument.

The Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha, also included Justice A.S. Chandurkar. The court has asked whether the matter should be considered along with other petitions related to the Places of Worship Act. The court also asked Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain to produce the order passed earlier in the day, wherein it was held that an ASI-protected monument is not covered by the Places of Worship Act.

Previously, in December 2024, the Supreme Court had restrained all courts from entertaining fresh suits and passing any interim or final orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places. The current order to maintain status quo until August 25 reflects the court's attempt to navigate the complexities of the case and ensure that no irreversible steps are taken before a thorough examination of the legal issues.