SC bars courts from ordering surveys of places of worship across India

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday restrained courts across India from issuing any orders or hearing cases seeking surveys or changes in the religious character of places of worship.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan passed the order, stating that no interim or final relief should be granted by any court in cases filed under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

The bench also barred the filing or registration of new suits on the issue until further notice.

The 1991 Act prohibits the conversion of any place of worship and mandates maintaining its religious character as it stood on August 15, 1947.

“We are examining the rules, contours, and scope of the 1991 Act,” the bench stated, emphasizing the need for lower courts to “stay away” from such matters until the apex court concludes its deliberations.

The decision was made during ongoing hearings on multiple petitions and counter-petitions challenging the provisions of the Act.