Supreme court declines plea to restrain Mahashivaratri puja at Aland dargah site
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition seeking to restrain Mahashivaratri puja at the Ladle Mashak Dargah and the samadhi of Hindu saint Raghav Chaitanya at Aland in Kalaburagi district.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma declined to intervene, observing that the matter is already pending before the Karnataka High Court. The bench noted that the petitioner could not invoke Article 32 of the Constitution when the issue was under consideration before the High Court.
The petition had been filed by one Khalil Ansari, who sought directions to prevent any alleged unlawful entry, gathering or congregation at the disputed property. The plea also sought to restrain authorities from permitting puja or granting any interim orders allowing access to the site.
During the hearing, senior counsel Vibha Datta, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the High Court had already passed orders in the matter. The petitioner further contended that the property had been notified by the Waqf Board and that the Waqf Tribunal should adjudicate the dispute.
The counsel also argued that the issue has a bearing on the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act and suggested that it could be tagged with similar pending matters.
However, the Supreme Court declined to intervene at this stage and dismissed the petition, effectively leaving the issue to be addressed by the Karnataka High Court and other appropriate forums.
Earlier, the Karnataka High Court had permitted 15 persons to offer Mahashivaratri prayers at the site under specified conditions. The matter has remained sensitive given the religious significance attached to both the dargah and the samadhi.
With the apex court refusing to grant relief, the High Court’s directions regarding limited puja for Mahashivaratri will continue to operate unless modified by a competent court.
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